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PHILADELPHIA: 

^JNTEll & I'ISHEE, L5 NORTH SIXTH ST • 

AND 16'J BKOADWAY, NEW YORK. 



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THE 



CLAY MINSTREL; 



OR, 



M^udi^maiL Sisititi^i^fttrir 



TO WHICH IS PREFIXED 

A SKETCH 
LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND CH^ACTER 

OF 

HEiNRY CLA.Y. 



*' The elements 
So mix in him, that Nature may stand up 
And say to all the world, This is a man." . . 



TURNER & FISHER, 15 N. SIXTH STREET, 

PHILADELPHIA; AND No. \m 

BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 

1842. 



^ 3 4 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, 
in the year 1842, by John S. Littell, in the 
Clerk's Office of the District Court for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



Tt occurred to the Editor of the Minstrel, tha 

a publication upon the plan of that now offered t( 

the public would be acceptable, and might be use 

ful at the present juncture ; and finding, that lii 

design was approved by friends whose politics 

experience gave increased value to their opinions 

he prepared, with more haste, however, than wa 

agreeable, the brief and unpretending sketch the 

follows, of the life of Mr. Clay. He takes pleasur 

in stating that he is much indebted to the researche 

of Mr. Prentice and of Mr. E. Sargent, whos 

comprehensive and interesting biographies ai 

alil^e creditable to their talents and worthy i 

their subject ; and all whose curiosity may I 

sharpened and excited by the imperfect glimpsi 

afforded through the following pages of the illu 

trious Statesman, will find in them more full ar 

circumstantial information than could be embrace 



IV. 

within the narrow limits and unambitious design 
of this publication. .Prom their works and from 
such other public sources as were immediately at 
hand, the torch of the Editor has received its feeble 
light, and he holds it aloft in the hope that it also, 
may be instrumental, although in humble degree, 
in scattering the mists of prejudice with which 
ignorance and party rage have so long enveloped 
the subject, but which, even now, are gradually 
rising and rolling away beneath the influence of 
revealing light, and of that " truth which is 

MIGHTY AND WILL PREVAIL ' ' 

The Songs are by various authors. Some of 
them have been written expressly for the Minstrel ; 
others have been gleaned from the public journals. 

J, s. L. 
Germantown, ) 

Penn : Oct., 1842. \ 



CONTENTS. 








Page. 


Sketch of the Life, Public Services, and Character 


of 


Henry Clay, 




9 


Ifarry of the West, ... 




73 


The VVorkingmen's Song, 




74 


Harry of Kentucky, 




77 


Gallant Harry, 




80 


St. Louis Clay Club Song, 




82 


A Whig War Song, 




83 


Harry, the honest and true, 




84 


Yankee Doodle Dandy, 




86 


Harry of Kentucky, ho ! ieroe ! 




87 


A settin' in the chair, - 




88 


The Whig Rifle, 




91 


Clear the way for Harry Clay, 




92 


Advice and comfort for John Tyler, 




94 


Onward ! . - - . 




96 


A new Song to an old tune, 




97 


Leave Vain Regrets, - - •> 




99 


Oh ! Harry Clay will be the man, 




101 


My Jo, John Tyler, . 




102 


The Dayton Gathering, 




103 


The same Brave old Coon, 




106 


Oh ! take your time, John Tyler, 




108 


The Whig Battle Cry, 




109 


That same old Koon, - 




110 


Glorious Harry Clay, . 




111 


How Many Clay men are there ? 




112 


Whig Song, - - - . 




113 


Here's a health to our own Harry Clay, 




115 


The Whig Chief, 




116 


The Clay Flag, 




116 


John Tyler's Song, - - - 




117 


The deeds of Clay, 


- 


120 



vni. 



Life and confession of John Tyler, 

Ye Worshippers of Tyler, 

The Orator's coming, - 

Uncle Sam's talk to his man, John, 

True Harry of Kentucky, oh ! 

The Star of the West, 

Old Tariff llarry, 

The Brave Kentucky Boy, 

For Home Protection and for Clay, 

John Tyler, John Tyler, this moment 

The Chief of the West, 

Sale of the Tools, 

Clay, our Nation's glory. 

The Heroes of the mind. 

The Clay Gathering, - 

Heading Captain Tyler, 

Appeal to Freemen, 

The Clay Rally cry, - 

Harry Clay, - - - 

What sound is that, that o'er the liills, 

Henry Clay, « - . „ 

All's well, .... 

Come, vote for the Patriot Clay, 

Our Candidate, ... 

The Star of Ashland, - 

Get along, Harry, you're bound to go in. 

Acrostic, .... 

An Epigram, - 

The Statesman, ... 

Erect he Stands, ... 

He is not fallen, . - . - 

Henry Clay, .... 

There's a Star in the We^t, 



we've heard. 



1Q2 

126 

127 

128 

131 

132 

133 

134 

135 

135 

137 

138 

139 

140 

140 

142 

143 

145 

146 

147 

147 

148 

150 

151 

152 

153 

157 

157 

158 

160 

162 

164 

166 



EMBELLISHMENTS. 

Likeness of Mr. Clay, 
Birth-place of Mr. Clay, . 
Nailing the Color to the Mast, 
Likeness of Mr. Clay, 



(cover.) 

2 

70 

. 156 



SKETCH 

OF THE 

LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND CHARACTER, 



OP 



HENRY CLAY. 



Henry Clay, who is, at this moment, confessedly the 
first Statesman of the Nation, and whom posterity will 
place by the side of the. Father of his Country, when 
recounting' the deeds of her purest benefactors, is, 
emphatically, the architect of his own fortune and fame. 
While his instructive history presents a splendid illustra- 
tion of the beauty of our republican system, which throws 
wide open the door to political advancement to all degrees 
of men, he furnishes also, an extraordinary example of the 
combination of the highest powers of the mind, as various 
as they are rarely found united in the character of a single 
person, 

With an eloquence which challenges comparison with the 
noblest of the olden time, and a gracefulness and impres- 
siveness of manner, which, in beautiful keeping with 
his rich and overflowing periods, enchants and captivates 



10 

the hearer, he possesses indomitable perseverance, and 
an indu- try that never flags, — a rare facility in the trans- 
action of business, — unshrinking courage, an ardent and 
lofty patriotism, long tried, self-sacrificing, and without 
reproach, — a judgment, mature and unerring, — profound 
sagacity, and an enlightened forecast ; all of which, with 
long experience in affairs of state, unite in the character of 
this extraordinary and illustrious man, and seem to point 
him out as the chosen instrument of Providence for restor- 
ing the lost prosperity of his hitherto favoured people, and 
in redeeming their country from the stains of treachery and 
misrule, from the disgrace of violated faith, and the degra- 
dation of national honor. 

Henry Clay, is also remarkable for simplicity of life, 
character, and manners, and for an earnest and devoted at- 
tachment to purely republican principles, whether in the 
great business of government, or in social intercourse with 
his fellow men, among whom, wherever ho meets them, he 
inspires a veneration and an enthusiasm seldom equalled. 
His position at the present time is as truly enviable, as it is 
unprecedented ; and to his generous mind must be far 
more gratifying, than would be the actual possession of the 
attractions and the trappings of any station, however ex- 
alted, within the gift of a grateful and admiring people. 
Without patronage to bestow, or interest with those who 
temporarily and through sufferance, hold the reins of 
governmerrt ; a retired statesman, a plain, practical farmer, 
he is, nevertheless, the man of the people, and possesses 
far more influence and consideration with the nation at 
large, than they enjoy who have the bestowal of all the 
emoluments and dignities of offiee. 



ii 

Mr. Clay was born in Hanover County, Virginia, on the 
l2th of April, 1777, and was the fifth among seven chil- 
dren. His father was a preacher of piety and zeal, of the 
Baptist denomination, who died during the war of the 
revolution, leaving his large family with little besides, to 
the care of his wife, who was distinguished among her 
sex for strong natural powers of mind, but who was thus 
left entirely destitute of the requisite means to afford to 
her children any higher instruction than could be obtained 
in the Loa Cabin schools of the country in which she 
dwelt. 

It was at the early age of five years that the subject of 
our sketch was deprived of the care of his good and affec- 
tionate father, and as his mother, some years later, formed 
a second matrimonial connexion, and removed with her 
husband, Mr. Henry Watkins, into Kentucky, Henry and 
his eldest brother who remained in Virginia, were left in 
circumstances requiring from them severe manual labor. 

Frequently, has Henry Clay, clad in the coarsest 
apparel, and with bare feet, ploughed the live long summer 
day, with no other companions than his plodding team, 
and his own high thoughts, whicii, even in the midst of 
his humble but honourable toil, must have soared above 
the lowly circumstance of his condition to hold com- 
munings with the loftier things of life. If we had space 
for the purpose, we might here pause to attempt a parallel 
between the early lives of Mr. Clay, and the ** forest born 
Demosthenes," Patrick Henry, whose earliest years were 
passed in the laborious, but independent employment of 
cultivators of the soil. While those more favoured by 



12 

fortune — the wealtl)y sons of the land, with splendid 
equipage and luxurious ease, were rolling onward, the 
listless witnesses of the humble employments of those 
"a field," little could they have suspected that the dust 
from their chariot wheels was scattered upon the homely 
garments of those who were destined to take exalted rank 
among the greatest of our own proud land I 

The career of Henry Clay is rich in instruction and 
encouragement to all upon whom adverse fortune has laid 
her depressing hand. From indigent infancy to the present 
period of his illustrious life, he affords a sublime illustra- 
tion of the results of aspiring perseverance. With such 
an example before him, no American youth, however un- 
propitious the circumstances of his position may be, need 
despair of ultimate success ; that success which is the 
almost certain result of Well-directed, steady and laborious 
effort, but which the labour, and the constant self-depend- 
ence of the mind can alone achieve, 

" Ah ! who can tell how hard it is to climb 

The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar ; 

Ah ! who can tell how many a soul sublime 

Has felt the influence of malignant star, 

And waged with fortune an eternal war; 

Check'd by the scoffs of Pride and Envy's frown, 

And Poverty s unconqueiable bar. 

In life's low vale remote has pined alone. 

Then diopp'd into the grave, unpitied and unknown." 

With Clay, the "bar of poverty" so touchingly alluded 
to by the poet, was regarded merely as a difficulty over 
which he was, of course, to achieve a triumph ; it reared 
its discouraging and depressing front before his unflinch- 
ing eye and unshrinking heart, but was not deemed 
" unconquerable," by one who, in believing he should 
triumph, had already secured to himself, the certainty of 
victory. 



13 

♦ 
In the performance of his multifarious labours as a 
farmer's boy, he has often ridden to llie mill with grain, 
his sole equipment in harmony with his own humble ap- 
pearance, being a rope bridle, and his seat, in lieu of a 
saddle, the bag containing the grist or the flour, which he 
brought upon his return. 

In such employments, and with none of the advantages 
of education, or of social intercourse with cultivated minds, 
did our country's future statesman and benefactor, pass the 
first thirteen years of his active and useful life. At the 
age of fourteen he was placed in a small retail store at 
Richmond, where he remained, attentive to the duties of 
the counter until the following year, (1792) when he was 
transferred, but by whom does not appear, to the office of 
Mr. Peter Tinsley, who was, at that time, Clerk of the 
High Court of Chancery. It was here that he had the 
good fortune to attract the attention of the celebrated 
George Wythe, a Signer of the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, and one of the most eminent jurists of that day, 
and it certainly forms not the least of the claims of that dis- 
tinguished man to the veneration and gratitude of posterity 
tiiat he had the sagacity to. discover the merit of young 
Clay, and the inclination also to afford him the benefit 6f 
his counsel and conversation. If the generous example of 
Chancellor Wythe were more frequently followed by those 
who possess the opportunity and means, how often would 
the sunshine of hope illumine the paths of unprotected 
genius, and save from despair those who, under more favour- 
able circumstances, might become the ornaments and the 
benefactors of mankind I 



14 

The encouragement and counsel received by Henry 
Clay during the struggles of this period of his career, from 
his distinguished friend, were certainly of great advantage 
to him, and have ever been gratefully remembered ; but 
his wtis of that order of mind v>7hich derives strength and 
renewed courage from difficulties and opposition, and he is 
one of that class of men of which our country has 
furnished many bright examples, and for which the cause 
of liberty, literature, and science, is indebted to the foster- 
ing care and equalizing influences of her admirable institu- 
tions, — who have by strong native genius, unshaken forti- 
tude, and unwavering courage, overcome the stern barrier 
which separates poverty and its attendant evils from the 
hopes and sacred influences which the lights of education 
and knowledge impart to those who are the favoured 
and happy recipients of her elevating and inappreci- 
able privileges. In the achievement of triumphs like 
these, and under circumstances most disheartening, the 
obstacle of mere poverty, is, perhaps not always the 
greatest. Mankind are generally slow in perceiving tlie 
merits, and in admitling the claims of the friendless and 
the indigent, and all-powerful prejudice is among the 
most formidable impediments, which he who stands alone, 
uncheered and unsupported, is forced to encounter and to 
vanquish as the hard condition of ullimate success. 

Towards the close of the year 1796, young Clay entered 
the family of Mr. Robert Brooke, an eminent lawyer, and 
formerly governor of Virginia, and his only regular study 
of his profession was during the year that he resided with 
this gentleman. 



1'5 

His business and social relations, during a residence at 
Richmond, of a little more than six years, introduced him 
to the notice of most of the leading members of the bar of 
a city which has always been distinguished for legal talent 
and learning. Chief Justice Marshall, and Mr. Bushrod 
Washington, were also among the number of his early 
friends. During his residence at Richmond, his eldest 
brother died, and in the year 1797, with a license to prac- 
tice law which he had received from the judges of the 
Virginia Court of Appeal-', he lemoved to Lexington, 
Kentucky, where, at the age of twenty years, friendless 
and a stranger, and destitute of the means wherewith to 
pay the small sum demanded for his board, he made his 
brief preparations 1o enter upon the busy stage of life in 
the society of men, and in honorable contention with those 
who had advanced far up the hill of fame, and who were 
already in the full enjoyment of high professional influence. 

It was a bold, but characteristic venture for one so 
young, thus to launch, his frail bark into the stormy sea, 
to unfurl its virgin sails upon the bosom of its trackless 
waters, and he its solitary and inexperienced guide ! Truly 
has it been said, that no sublimer spectacle can be pre- 
sented for the admiration and instruction of mankind, 
than that of a great and good man struggling with adversity. 
But it was not the fate of Mr. Clay to struggle long, either 
for practice as a mean>« of support, or for reputation. 
Whereever his destiny called him, he carried that within 
which prompted those exertions and studies in which he 
soon excelled his contemporaries. 

He early acquired a profound acquaintance with the 
principles of law, and commanded the respect and conh- 



16 

dcnce of Iiis veteran rivals and associates at the bar. " I 
rcineniber," says he, in iiis speech at Lexington, in June 
18-12, "liow comfortable I thought I should be, if I could 
make £100 Virginia money per year; and with M'hat 
delight I received the first fifteen shillings fee. My hopes 
were more than realized. I immediately rushed into a 
lucrative practice." 

An anecdote is recorded of this period of his life which 
proves tliat he is indebted to practice for the extraordi- 
nary readiness which he always manifests in debate or 
repartee. lie had joined a debating society, and at one 
of the meetings, just as the vote was about to be taken, he 
remarked, in a whisper to a person near him, that the 
subject did not appear to him to have been exhausted. 
The member to whom the observation was made, exclaimed, 
" do not put the question yet, Mr. Clay will speak." The 
chairman nodded to Clay in token of attention, who 
rose with extreme embarrassment, and faltering out, 
" Gentlemen of the Jury,^^ paused as if endeavouring to 
recover his scattered thoughts. His audience with com- 
mcndable forbearance kindly affected not to notice this 
extraordinary commencement, or the agitation of the new 
speaker, wiio, after much hesitation and confusion re- 
peated the words, but they were scarcely uttered, when 
rising above the distress and difficulties of his novel 
position, he acquitted himself in the debate in a manner 
that excited general surprise and admiration. 

An amusing anecdote is also recorded of his early 
practice wliich we are tempted to repeat. He had success, 
fully defended two Germans, a father and son, who had 
been indicted for murder, and an old, withered, and ex- 



17 

tremely ill-favoured woman, wife of the elder, and mother 
of the younger prisoner, learning the result of t!ie trial, 
rushed into court, and throwing her arms around the neck 
of the young advocate, almost suffocated him with caresses 
and kisses in the presence of the assembled crowd ! 

Although Mr. Clay was now profitably engaged in the 
prosecution of his professional avocations, he was' not an 
indifferent observer of passing events. His political career 
commenced, indeed, almost as early as his professional; 
and in the exciting scenes which immediately followed the 
determination of the people of Kentucky to form for 
themselves a new constitution, he was a prominent actor, 
and a fearless and able champion of popular rights. 

The prominent feature of the new constitution, was a 
provision for the prospective eradication of slavery from 
within the jurisdiction of Kentucky by gradual emanci- 
pation. A majority of the people were decidedly hostile 
to the measure, but the violence of popular opposition 
did not deter the young lawyer from taking a bold f-tand 
by the side of those who were friendly to it, although he 
knew that by so doing he was placing at hazard the 
splendid prospects of wealth and fame, which had so early, 
unexpectedly, and so auspicuously opened upon him. He 
did not hesitate for a moment, but with that noble and self^ 
sacrificing spirit which has since, so strongly endeared 
him to his countrymen, and which has made his name 
illustrious among the patriotic of mankind, devoted him- 
self with fervent zeal to a cause which forcibly appealed 
to the best feelings of his generous nature. The views of 
Mr. Clay upon tliis momentuous question, have, as is well 
known, undergone no change, but lime has made clearly 



13 

manifest the wisdom and purity of his early course in re- 
lation to the matter. He entertains, however, no sympathy 
with those who have raised the hue and cry of uncon- 
ditional abolition, and who, in the accomplishment of their 
mistaken and injurious design, appear to be regardless 
alike of the tranquility of the country, and the preserva- 
tion of that union, in the strength of which we achieved 
our independence, and have attained our present exalted 
degree of national greatness and prosperity. 

The institution of slavery deplored by none more sin- 
cerely than by Mr. Clay, and the abolition of which had 
in him an early devoted and manly advocate of its gradual 
accomplishment by strictly Constitutional means, was 
founded by our English predecessors in possession of the 
soil. It is an evil which requires time and skill to eradi- 
cate and heal, and the incendiary spirit which has gone 
abroad among those who are ignorant of the principles 
involved in its present toleration, or are culpably reckless 
of the consequences of their unwise proceedhigs, only serve 
to retard a consummation devoutly wished by all good and 
patriotic citizens. 

To the Alien and Sedition laws, passed by Congress in 
1798, during the administration of the elder President 
Adams, Mr. Clay was heartily and perseveringly opposed. 

The first of these celebrated acts jointly productive of an 
excitement which agitated the very foundations of the infant 
Republic, provided the manner in which aliens were to be- 
come citizens of the United States, and restricted the facility 
with which citizenship had, previously been acquired. It 
authorised the President, at his discretion, to order all 
aliens whom he might consider dangerous to the national 



peace and safety, or who were concerned in Ireasonablie 
practices or measures, to leave the country. It also gave a 
power to the President to grant licenses to aliens to remain 
during his own good pleasure. It further provided im- 
prisonment not exceeding three years to all aliens remain- 
ing without license, and perpetual disqualification for 
citizenship. It also authorised the President to require of 
aliens bonds for their good behavour, and all captains were 
required to report the names of such persons arriving in 
their vessels under a penalty of three hundred dollars. 

The following were the offences made punishable by the 
Sedition law, popularly denominated the '* gag law :" 

Defaming or bringing into contempt, the Congress 
or President. Exciting the hatred of the people against 
them. S:irring up sedition in the country, raising unlawful 
combinations for resisting the laws and legal authorities — 
aiding and abetting foreign nations against the country, 
the people or their government. 

Many of these were certainly very grave offences; but 
for some, adequate penalties had already been provided, and 
with respect to others, it may be remarked, that the law 
prohibiting them was a restriction of the liberty of expres- 
sion, not the less intolerable that the truth of the libel 
might be pleaded in justification of the accused. 

The following case illustrates the practical operation of 
the Sedition law, and is one only among many of the 
oppressive, vexations and frivolous prosecutions (o which 
it gave rise. President Adams, on his return from the 
seat of government, passing through Newark, was compli- 
mented with a discharge of artillery by the citizens of the 
town in honour of his arrival. A Mr, Ba]dwin».who, it 



20 



would appear was not very remarkable for the delicacy of his 
sentiments, expressed much regret that the wadding dis- 
charged from the cannon had not lodged in a particular 
part of the President's person, and for this humorous 
exhibition of known dislike, he was actually tried, con- 
victed, and fined one hundred dollars ! It was the abuse 
of this law, ill adapted, under any circumstances, for the 
meridian of a people who had So rece ntly waged a seven 
years war in maintenance of their independence from 
foreign oppression, which rendered it odious to the country; 
and Mr. Clay, who has always been a consistent advocate of 
the amplest freedom of speech and of the press, launched 
against it the mighty thunders of his indignant eloquence. 

Mr. Clay was elected to' the Legislature of his adopted 
state in the year 1801, and immediately participated in all 
the leading questions of interest which were discussed in 
that body. 

In December, 1806, when only in his twenty-ninth year, 
he was elected by the legislature of Kentucky, a Senator 
in Congress, to fill a vacancy which had just occurred in 
that body by the resignation of the honourable John 
Adair, and, as the journals will prove, he entered at once, 
and with characteristic activity and zeal, upon the exalted 
and untried duties of the station. Here was made his 
earliest manifestation of devotion to the causo of internal 
improvement, and he was immediattly distinguished 
among the ablest legislators of his country. We shall be 
pardoned for a momentary trespass upon our limits in 
pausing here, to contrast the position held, at this time by 
this remarkable man, v/ith the friendless destitution of that 
which he occupied but nine years before I 



21 

The period for which he had been chosen, was but for 
a single session, and upon the adjournment of Congress 
he was again elected to the Kentucky Legislature, and 
was soon after appointed speaker of the Assembly. He 
not only performed with unsurpassed ability, the duties 
of this new position, but, entering upon the arena of debate, 
actively and eloquently participated in the discussion of 
all the leading questions before the house. 

In the winter of 1809 — 10, Mr. Clay was a second time 
elected by a large majority, to the Senate of the United 
States, again to fill a vacancy which had occurred by the 
resignation of Mr. Buckner, and it was during this session 
of Congress that Mr. Clay proclaimed his early and 
cherished predilection for that truly American System of 
which he is the father, and which, by encouraging 
domestic industry, and manufacture, would render us in- 
dependent of the pauper labour of other nations, and thus 
lay broad and deep, the foundations of real independence, 
and of permanent national prosperity. 

The limited space allotted to this sketch, will not permit 
us to dwell upon any of the great measures with which 
Mr. Clay is identified. To many of them, indeed, we 
cannot even allude. From the period of his second 
entrance into the Senate of the United States, his life has 
been spent in the service of his country, and his country's 
history, down to his recent, final, and voluntary retirement 
from public life is the noblest monumentto his fame. 

When President Madison issued his proclamation, 
declaring that the territory between the Mississippi and 
Perdido rivers, and comprising a large portion of Western 



22 

Florida was subject to the laws of the United States, and 
upon which it was contended that we had no legal claim, 
Mr. Clay boldJy and eloquently defended the President 
from the fierce assaults of opposition, and triumphantly 
vindicated the national title to the land. 

One of the Senators had expressed the deep interest he 
felt in the fate of the Spanish King. Mr. Clay in reply, 
exclaimed, " I shall leave the honorable gentleman from 
Delaware to mourn over the fate of the fallen Charles. 
I have no commisseration for Princas. My sympathies are 
all reserved Jor the great mass of mankind; and I own 
that the people of Spain have them most sincerely ^ 

It was the eloquent and overpowering expression of this 
generous sympathy for the people, and of honest devotion 
to their great interests, both in tlie speeches he delivered at 
home and in the Senate, that procured for him about this 
time, tlue title of the " Great Commoner." Preferring a 
seat in the House of Representatives,, to a re election to 
the Senate, Mr. Clay was returned a member of the popular 
branch of the national legislature, and was chosen Speaker 
in 1812. He was an earnest friend of the patriotic 
administration of Madison, and gave to his prominent 
measures a hearty support. In April of this year, Mr. 
Madison recommended that a "general embargo be laid 
on all vessels now in port, or hereafter arriving, for the 
period of sixty days." In the discussion of this measure 
Mr. Clay largely shared and advocated it with his 
accustomed zeal and ability. He declared that he 
'* approved of it because it is to be viewed as a direct 
precursor to war." John Randolph and Josiah Quincy 
were foremost in strenuous opposition, and they were 



23 

among the intellectual giants of those days. Mr. Clay, 
however, did not hesitate to meet them, and it has been 
said that he was a *' flame of fire," upon this occasion. 
" He had now brought Congress to the verge of what be 
conceived to be a war for liberty and honor, and his voice 
rang through the capitol like a trumpet tone sounding for 
the onset. On the subject of the policy of the embargo, 
his eloquence, like a Roman phalanx, bore down all oppo- 
sition, and he put to shame those of his opponents, who 
flouted the government as being unprepared for war." 
As had been anticipated and predicted by Mr. Clay, the 
Declaration of War against Great Britain immediately 
followed, and received from him that warm and powerful 
support without which it could hardly have been prosecuted 
to a successful and honourable close. 

Tlie dignity and commercial independence of ihe nation 
had been, for a long series of years, arrogantly assailed by 
the British, and the time had at length arrived, when a 
decisive demonstration of resentment was essential to the 
preservation of the national honor. Under such circum- 
stances, and urged by such considerations, it was charac- 
teristic of this noblest champion of American liberty to 
give to the war upon which his country had entered, all 
the support of his transcendant abilities. " My plan," 
said he, "would be to call out the amplest resources of the 
country, give them a judicious direction, prosecute the 
war with the utmost vigor, strike where ever we can reach 
the enemy, at sea or on land, and negociate the terras of 
a peace at Quebec or at Halifax. We are told that 
England is a proud and lofty nation. whi«h, disdaining to 
wait for danger, meets it halfway. Haughty as she is, 



24 

we once triumphed over her, and if we do not listen to 
the counsels of timidity and despair, we shall again 
prevail. In such a cause, with the aid of Providence, we 
must be crowned with success ; but if we f lil, let us fail 
• like men, — lash ourselves to our gallant tars, and expire 
together in one common struggle, fighting for free trade 
and seamen's rights." 

The Presidential election occurred at this time, and Mr. 
Madison was re-elected by a majority of thirty-nine votes 
over De Witt Clinton, in the electoral colleges. 

The war-party, of which Mr. Clay was at once the 
ruling spirit and the head, was thus sustained by the 
people. 

In 1813 Mr. Clay was again chosen Speaker of the 
House of Representatives by a large majority. Many of 
those who most ably and strenuously opposed the war, did 
so without doubt, from the purest motives, — others how- 
ever, opposed it through fear of the power and avenging 
wrath of our haughty mother ; but .this pusillanimous 
objection w^as met, at its threshold by Mr. Clay, with a 
sublimity of patriotism which has seldom been equalled 
and never surpassed. "Sir" said he, in addressing the 
Committee of the whole House, *'Isthe time never to arrive 
when we may manage our own affairs without the fear of 
insulting the majesty of England ? Is the rod of British 
power to be forever suspended over our heads ? Does 
Congress put an embargo to shelter our rightful commerce 
against the piratical depredations committed upon it on 
the ocean? We are immediately warned of the indignation 
of offended England! Is a law of non-intercourse pro- 
posed? The whole navy of the haughty Mistress of the 



25 



seas is made to thunder in our ears ! Does the President 
refuse to continue a correspondence with a Minister who 
violates the decorum belonging to his diplomatic character, 
by giving and deliberately repeating an affront to the whole 
nation ? We are instantly menanced with the chastise- 
ment which English pride will not fail to inflict. Whether 
we assert our rights by sea, or attempt their maintenance 
by land, whethersoever we turn ourselves, this phantom 
incessantly pursues us I" 

In January, 1814, Mr. Clay resigned the oflice of 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and, as one of 
the Commissioners appointed for that purpose, proceeded 
to Ghent to negotiate a peace with England. To the 
great diplomatic ability he displayed during this memora- 
ble mission, Mr. John Q. Adams, who was associated with 
him, and than whom there can be no better judge, has 
borne the strongest testimony, which the country has 
abundantly confirmed. During his absence at Ghent he was 
re-elected to Congress; but doubts having arisen respect- 
ing the legality, under such circumstances, of the proceed- 
ings of his constituents, upon his return a new election 
was ordered, and with the same result. 

Mr. Clay, as wo have heard, never canvassed for a seat 
in Congress but once. During this canvass he met with 
an old hunter who had always been friendly towards him 
but who now opposed his election on account of his 
course in connection with what was termed the " Compen- 
sation Bill." A proposition had been made to give to each 
member of Congress a yearly salary of fifteen hundred 
dollars. Mr. Clay preferred an increase of daily compen- 
sation to a. fixed salary. " Have you," said he to the 



26 

hunter, " a good rifle, my friend ?" '• Yes," was the answer, 
"Did it never flash ?" "Once only," he repUed, " Did you 
throw it away ?" " No," repHed the hunter, " I picked the 
flint, tried it again, and brought down the game." " Have 
I," aslied Mr. Clay, "ever flashed but on the Compensation 
Bill ?" " No." " Will you then throw ^e away 1" " No, 
no," exclaimed the excited man, nearly overcome by the 
intensity of his feelings, " I will pick the flint and try you 
again." He became from that time, a warm friend and 
supporter of Mr. Clay. 

There was, at this time, residing at Lexington, an Irish 
baiber, who at all elections previously to the passage of the 
unpalatable bill to which allusion has been made, had 
manifested the utmost zeal for Mr. Clay. He had, indeed, 
often profited by his counsel and assistance when involved 
in those difficulties to which his warm hearted and im- 
petuous countrymen are, of all men, most exposed, but after 
the passage of the "Compensation Bill," he became dis- 
trustful, and reserved — was no longer active, and mani- 
fested a total indifference as to the result of the canvass. 
At length he was'questioned upon the subject by a gentle- 
man for whose opinions and character he had professed a 
high respect. " I tell you what, docthur," he replied, " I 
mane to vote for the man that can put but one hand into the 
treasury." In early youth, Mr. Pope, the able and respect 
able opponent, at this tisne, of Mr. Clay, had lost one of his 
arms I But the Irishman's heart, like the hearts of his coun- 
trymen generally, was in the right place. He repented of his 
ingratitude, and meeting Mr. Clay afterwards in the street, 
he burst, into tears as he accosted him, voluntarily con- 
fessed that he had wronged him, and that^ his wife had 



27 

also reproached him for his conduct. "Don't you retnem- 
ber, Jerry," she said, " when you vveie in jail, Mr. Clay 
came to you and made the baste of a jailor let you 
out?" 

At the next session of Congress, Mr. Clay voted lor the 
repeal of this unpopular Bill, and strongly advocated 
the recognition of South American Independence. 
He was opposed upon the ground, that the people of 
-that country were too ignorant to appreciate the bles- 
sings of Liberty, and to conduct and sustain a system of 
government, founded upon free principles. To these 
objections, Mr. Clay replied that he was " no propagandist. 
He would not force upon other nations our principles of 
Liberty if they did not want them. He would not dis. 
turb the repose even, of a detestable despotism." With 
regard to the superstition of the South Americans, he 
said, " they worship the same God with us. Their prayers 
were offered up in their temples to the same Redeemer 
whose intercession we expected to save us. Nor was 
there anything in the Roman Catholic religion unfavour- 
able to freedom. All religions united with government, 
were more or less inimical to liberty. All separated from 
government, were compatible with liberty." " Are we 
not bound," he asked, " upon our own principles, to ac- 
knowledge this new Republic ? If w£ do not, wlio will ?" 

We have learned from a gentleman who has travelled 
in South America, that the noble speeches, pronounced by 
Mr. Clay in support of his motion for the recognition of 
Colombian Independence, were printed and suspended in 
the Legislative Halls and Council Chambers of that 
country, and that his name was mentionsd only to bj 



28 

blessed by the people whose cause he had so ably and so 
eloquently espoused. 

In 1827 Mr. Clay received from President Bolivar, a 
letter expressive of the high sense entertained by that 
distinguished person of his talents and character, and 
acknowledging the obligation conferred upon the people 
of South America, by the effective and timely service 
which he had rendered to their cause. The reply of Mr. 
Clay, and which we regret our inability to copy entire, is 
alone sufficient to give the lie to every imputation which, 
with premeditated falsehood, has been cast upon him, of 
aristocratic predileclions, and of an inordinate love of 
power. It is the production of a mind, conscidus of 
its own rectitude, and integrity, conscious of having 
deserved the homage of gratitude and respect thus spon- 
taneously offered, and of one also, who having from 
his cradle, breathed the pure atmosphere of liberty, and 
imbibed its noblest principles, feels itself entitled to 
address, even to the "Liberator" of South America,' 
the language of admonition, and to assume the part 
of an expounder and defender of what he right'y re- 
garded as the inestimable and inalienable biitb-right of 
man. 

" I should," he writes in reply to Bolivar, " be un- 
worthy of the consideration with which your Excellency 
honors me, and deviate from the frankness which I have 
ever endeavoured to practice, if I did not on this occasion, 
state, that ambitious designs have been attributed by your 
enemies to your Excellency, which have created, in my 
mind, great solicitude. * * * I cannot allow myself to 
believe that your Excellency will abandon the bright and 



29 

glorious path which lies plainly before you, for the bloody 
road passing over the liberties of the human race, on 
which the vulgar crowd of tyrants and military despots 
have so often trodden. I will not doubt that your Excel- 
lency will, in due time, render a satisfactory explanation 
to Colombia and to the world, of the parts of your public 
conduct which have excited any distrust ; and that, pre- 
ferring the true glory of ojur immortal Washington, to the 
ignoble fame of the destroyers of Liberty, you have formed 
the patriotic resolution of ultimately placing the freedom 
of Colombia upon a firm and sure foundation." 

Mr. Clay's exertions in Congress were now made in 
behalf of Internal Improvement, and with his accustomed 
success. It is, indeed, to his able and persevering efforts 
that we are indebted for the finest road in the United 
States, — the great Cumberland Road which crosses the 
Alleghanies. In allusion to this great national work in one 
of his congressional speeches, he said: " We have had to 
beg, entreat, supplicate you, session after session, to grant 
the necessary appropriations to complete the road. I have 
myself toiled until my powers have been exhausted and 
prostrated, to prevail on you to make the grant." 

He may almost be regarded as the father of this 
great enterprise, and we well remember, when a boy, 
while travelling in the West, the admiration with which 
we gazed upon the beautiful monument erected in com- 
memoration of his efforts, upon the Cumberland Road. It 
is surmounted by the genius of Liberty, records the exer- 
tions in behalf of the measure, of the honored object of a 
nation's gratitude, and bears, as a further inscription, the 
now time-honoured name of " Henry Clay." 



30 

It was during the session of 1819 that the conduct of 
General Jackson, in the prosecution of his Florida Cam- 
paign was discussed in Congress. The principal measures 
for which he was censured were the harsh conditions of 
his proceedings and terms with the Indians — the execu- 
tion of the two English prisoners of war, Arbnthnot and 
Ambrister, and his seizure of the then Spanish ports of 
St. Markp,and of Pensacola. It is well known that these 
arbitrary acts of the General did not meet with the appro- 
bation of Mr. Clay. Indeed, he was compelled by the 
circumstances of his position in Congress to meet them 
with direct censure. His grateful rpj)reciation however, 
of the important military services rendered by Jackson, 
prompted the exercise of characteristic kindness and for- 
bearance on the part of Mr. Clay, in his reluctant animad- 
versions upon conduct which it was impossible for him as a 
faithful public servant to pass over in silence. So far as 
he had the power he threw the broad mantle of charity 
over the deeds he condemned. To the motives of the 
distinguished object of censure, he has always awarded 
the fullest justice; and never was he more ready to admit 
the purity of the General's intentions, than in the midst of 
the exciting debate to which his conduct gave rise. "I 
am disposed," said he, " to allow it in the most extensive 
degree. Of his acts, it is my duty to speak with the 
freedom which belongs to my station." The whole of Mr. 
Clay's subsequent conduct in relation to General Jackson, 
has been characterised by the same noble magnanimity, 
and that too, upon occasions when its practice could not 
have been anticipated. That devoted and generous 
patriotism which, in a peculiar manner and degree, dis- 



31 

tinguishes Mr. Clay above all his contemporaries, has ever 
been sufficiently powerful to create, in his bosom, esteem 
for those who have zealously served their country, and he 
has, accordingly, on all suitable occasions, not only 
awarded the highest praise to Jackson's military achieve- 
ments, but has never hesitated to proclaim his gratitude 
for the noble services which that distinguished personage 
has — in his proper vocation — rendered to the country ; and 
it will be more injurious to the Ex-President than to 
Mr. Clay, if he has failed to imitate this high-toned 
magnanimity. 

In 1820 the subject of a Tariff which had often before 
engaged the attention of Congress, and of which Mr. 
Clay was ever the strenuous and able advocate, was? again 
discussed by the people's representative?, and he renewed 
liis earnest appeals in favour of his flivourite American 
system, "I frankly own," said he in a speech delivered 
at this time, " that I feel great solicitude for the success 
of tliis measure. The entire independence of my country 
on all foreign states, as it respects a supply of our essential 
wants, has ever been with me, a favourite object. The 
war of our Revolution affected our political emancipation. 
The last war contributed greatly towards accomplishing 
our commercial freedom. But our complete independence 
will only be consummated after the policy of this bill shall 
be recognized and adopted. We have, indeed, great diffi- 
culties to contend with ; old habits — colonial usages — 
the enormous profits of a foreign trade prosecuted under 
favourable circumstances, which no longer continue. I 
will not despair. The cause I verily believe, is the cause 
of the country. It may be postponed ; it may be frus- 
trated for the moment, but it finally must prevail," 



32 

The tariff bill was ultimately lost in the Senate. In 
1824 the subject was again revived, and a new Tariff bill 
reported to the House by the Committee on Manufactures ; 
and Mr, Clay, made on the occasion, his matchless speech 
in support of American Industry. Mr. Webster opposed 
the bill with all the force of his great abilities, but he was 
answered by Mr. Clay in a speech of surpassing eloquence 
and power, in which he reviewed and triumphantly refuted 
the objections that had been urged against it. The bill 
became a law in April of the same year, and eight years 
afterwards, in recalling the gloomy aspect of affairs in 
1824, he thus describes the happy results of his far-seeing 
policy : 

" I have now to perform the pleasing task of exhibiting 
an imperfect sketch of the existing state —of the unparalled 
prosperity of the country. On a general survey we behold 
cultivation extending, the arts flourishing, the face of the 
countiy improved, our people fully and profitably employed, 
and the public countenance exhibiting tranquility, content- 
ment and happiness. And, if we descend into particulars, 
we have the agreeable contemplation of a people out of 
debt; land rising slowly in value, but in a secure and 
salutary degree ; a ready, though not extravagant market 
for all the surplus productions of our industry : innumer- 
able flocks and herds browsing and gamboling on ten thou- 
sand hills and plains covered with rich and verdant grasses ; 
our cities expanding, and whole villages springing up, as 
it were, by enchantment ; our exports and imports in- 
creased and increasing, our tonnage, foreign and coastwise, 
swelling and fully occupied ; the rivers of our interior, 
animated by the thunder and lightning of countless steam- 



33 

boats ; the currency sound and abundant ; the public debt 
of two wars nearly redeemed ; and, to crown all, the public 
treasury overflowing, embarrassing Congress, not to find 
subjects of taxation, but to select the objects which shall 
be relieved from the impost. If the term of seven years 
were to be selected of the greatest prosperity, which this 
people have enjoyed since the establishment of their present 
constitution, it would be exactly that period of seven years 
which immediately followed the passage of the tariff of 
1824." 

In Mr. John Randolph, so celebrated for his oratorical 
abilities, eccentricities, and violence, the tariff bill had a 
bitter and an untiring opponent ; and one who was not 
sparing of his malignant personal taunts at Mr. Clay, whom 
he rightly regarded as the great father of the measure. 
The history of this remarkable individual is fraught with 
instruction and admonilion to all public men. His 
rancorous partizanship and personal animosities absorbed 
every feeling, and taxed every power of his strong and 
gifted mind, leaving nothing for his country, to which his 
great talents, if properly and steadily diiected, might have 
been at once an ornament and a blesijing, illustrating the 
principles and developing the resources of her political 
system, and creating towards himself a debt of gratitude 
which would have been long and proudly acknowledged. 
With a heart' thus unhappily constituted, he seemed to have 
no sympathy with his fellow-men, but wrapped in self, 
and aware that he was better adapted for the work of 
demolition than construction, he appeared to rejoice in a 
cynical and habitual opposition to the great and patriotic 
statesmen v/ith whom he was associated. 



34 



" Can lie love the whole 
Who loves no part? lie be a nation's friend 
Who is in truth, the friend of no man there? 
Can he be strenuous in his country's cause 
Who slights the cliarities, for whose clear sake 
That country, if at all, must be beloved?" 

*' Sir," said Mr. Clay on one occasion, in reply to Mr. 
Randolph, "the gentleman from Virginia was pleased to 
say that, in one point, at least, he coincided with me, in 
an humble estimate of my grammatical and philological 
acquirements. I know my deficiencies. I ivas born to no 
proud patrimonial estate; from my father I inherited only 
infancy, ignorance, and indigence. I feel my defects ; but 
so far as my situation in eaily life is concerned, I may, 
without presumption, say they are more my misfortune 
than my fault. But, however I deplore my want of ability 
to furnish to the gentleman a better specimen of powers of 
verbal criticism, I will venture to say, my regret is not 
greater than the disappointment of this Committee as to the 
strength of his argument." 

The great, exciting and, at the time, all absorbing 
'■'■Missouri Question,'^ was debated in Congress during the 
session of 1820 — 21. It is hardly necessary to remind the 
intelligent reader, that the point at issue was, whether or 
not Missouri should be admitted into the Union as a 
slave state. The discussion of this vexed question was 
continued for several montiis, with wonderful ability, but 
with an intensity of bitterness and fierceness without 
precedent in tlie annals of legislation. The noble vessel 
of state was tempest tost on the angry and overwhelming 
billows of party strife, and those who had never before 
despaired of her safety, beheld nothing in prospect but the 
inevitable destruction, the total wreck of the most 



35 

splendid fabric wliicli the wisdom and genius of man bad 
yet devised for the happiness, security, and elevation of his 
race. Rufus King-, John Sergeant, and Mr. Otis were the 
most prominent among those who advocated the exclusion 
of slavery from the new state, and they with their coad- 
jutors, were zealousy opposed by Henry Clay, John Ran- 
dolph, Louis McLane, and others of eminent abilities; yet 
with each renewel of the subject for several consecutive 
session?, the prospect of a safe and amicable adjustment of 
the distracting question, seemed, to the actors and to the 
nation, more and more hopeless. 

Meanwhile heavy pecuniary losses and an ulter derange- 
ment of his private affairs, consequent upon long service 
in Concrress, and an almost exclusive attention to his 
laborious and engrossing public duties, compelled Mr. Clay 
to resign the office of Speaker, and with it his member- 
ship of the House of Representatives; but in consideration 
of the agitation of the public mind, and the danger of dis- 
union, arising from the continued and slill angry discussion 
of the Missouri Question, both in Congress and among 
the people, he was prevailed upon to retain his seat 
in the House until the expiration of the period for which 
he had been elected, although he no longer continued to 
preside over its deliberations. The subject of the admis- 
sion of Missouri into tjie Union, had now occupied the 
attention of Congress, and of the country during the 
greater part of three entire sessions, threatening disunion 
at every stage of its gloomy progress, when in 1821, and 
just before his retirement from Congress, Mr. Clay pro- 
posed a plan of settlement and accommodation, which was 
finally adopted by an overwhelming majority of the Houpc, 



36 

and unanimously by the Senate. His appeals to the patri- 
otism of Congress, were frequent, strong, and brilliantly 
eloquent, and it was in the final, amicable disposition of 
this pregnant controversy, that he first won the proud title 
of "The Great Pacificator." 

After an absence of threeyears from Congress, Mr. Clay, 
at the earnest solicitation of his former constituents, con- 
sented to a nomination and was elected, without opposition, 
a Representative in Congress, and was chosen Speaker of 
that'body at the first ballot, by a majority of ninety-seven 
votes over Philip P. Barbour, the late incumbent. The 
following jeu d'esprit appeared in the newspapers, soon 
after the election : 

" As near the Potomac's broad stream, t'other day, 
Fair Liberty strolled, in solicitous mood, 

Deep pondering the future— unheeding her way- 
She met goddess J\rature beside a green wood ; 

' Good mother,' she cried, ' deign to help me at need!' 
' I must make for my guardians, a Speaker, to day ;' 

' The first in the world 1 would give them.' ' Indeed !' 
' When /made the first Speaker, I made him of CLAY.' " 

In 1823, Mr. Webster submilted to Congress, a propo- 
sition providing for the appointment of a Commissioner to 
Christian Greece, then struggling agttinst the unparalelled 
cruelties and oppressions of the '' Turbaned Turk;'" and 
Mr. Clay, equally a stranger to debasing jealousy which, 
unhappily, prompts to the commission of unworthy deeds, 
and to that despicable envy which seeks to tear the laurel 
from a favoured brow, stood side by sidd with Mr. Webster, 
in defence of that illustrious and injured people. 

" Are we," exclaimed Mr. Clay, to the opponents of the 
proposition; "so humbled, so low, so debased, that we 
dare not express our sympathy for suffering GreeCB, that 
we dare not articulate our detestation of the brutal ex- 



37 

cesses of which she has been the bleeding victim, lest we 
might offend some one or more, of their imperial and 
royal majesties ? * * * If the great body of Christen- 
dom can look on calmly and coolly, while all this is 
perpetrated on a Christian people in its own immediate 
vicinity, in its very presence, let us at least, evince that 
one of its remote extremities is susceptible of sensibility 
to Christian wrongs, and capable of sympathy for Christian 
sufferings; that in this remote quarter of the world there 
are hearts not yet closed against compassion for human 
woes — that can pour out their indignant feelings at the 
oppression of a people endeared to us by every ancient 
recollection, and every modern tie. Sir, it has been 
attempted to alarm this Committee by the dangers of our 
commerce on the Mediterranean ; and a wretched invoice 
of J^gs and opium has been spread before us to repress our 
sensibililies, and eradicate our humanity. Ah! sir, 'what 
shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose 
his own soul V or what shall it avail a nation to save the 
whole of a miserable trade and loose its liberties." 

In 1822, Mr. Clay was nominated, by the Legislature of 
Kentucky, as the successor of President Monroe, wbo^^ 
second term of service would expire on the 3d of March, 
1824. It is well known that the other prominent candidates 
for the succession were Messrs. John Quincy Adams, 
Andrew Jackson, and Wm. H. Crawford. Mr. Calhoun, 
although not a candidate, had been nominated by a strong 
body of his political admirers. He, however, early with- 
drew his name, and the contest was confined to the friends 
of Mr. Clay, and those of the gentlemen whom we have 
named. It was soon discovered that the people would 



38 

fail to elect a President by the votes of the electoral 
colleges, and that the responsible duty of selection would 
devolve upon their Representatives in Congress. 

On the eve of the Presidential election a report was 
widely circulated by the friends of one of the opposing 
candidate that Mr. Clay had withdrawn from the contest, 
and his prospects were, in consequence, much injured be- 
fore his friends in Ohio, — among the foremost and most 
zealous of whom was the lamented HarrisoiN, — could 
issue a declaration in which they proclaimed that their 
candidate " would not be withdrawn but by the fiat of his 
Maker." 

We may here remark that the "good President" Har- 
rison, was always a warm, personal friend of Mr. Clay, 
and made no secret of his just and patriotic sentiments, in 
regard to him. In a letter written in 1835, when many 
were pressing his own claims, he generously declares : 

" Under no circumstances will I suffer myself to be put 
in competition with Mr. Clay. In reference to the other 
gentlemen who have been brought before the people, as suit- 
able persons fom whom the Whig candidate for the Presi- 
dency is to be chosen, it is my determination to yield to 
neither of them the track who may be thus chosen. But 
Mr. Clay has far higher claims upon me, and if the ques- 
tion is betv/een us, I shall leave it to himself to decide it, 
even if the majority of our friends should have decided in 
my favour." 

The election, as had been anticipated, now devolved upon 
the House of Representatives, and the position occupied by 
Mr. Clay was one of extreme difficulty, delicacy, and im- 
portance. His personal and official influence was immense. 



33 



— upon his decision, the fate of the candidates was 
suspended, and his course, therefore, became an object of 
great solicitude to the nation. His opinions had not been 
concealed in regard to the three individuals who, by Con- 
stitutional provision, were returned to the House. In 
letters and in conversation, long before it was understood 
that the election would devolve upon Congress, he had 
expressed his predilection, and declared the course he 
should take in the events of a failure on the part of the 
people to elect their President. 

The evident physical inability of Mr. Crawford to dis- 
charge the duties of the Presidency, narrowed the choice 
of the House to the two highest candidates, Messrs. Adams 

* and Jackson ; and while the issue was yet undetermined, 
an infamous attempt was rnadc by the imputation of 
corrupt motives, to force Mr. Clay into the abandonment 
of his well-known preference of the former. The calumny 
found a fittin^r vcliicle in a rabid and scurrilous news- 
paper published at Philadelphia, and being caught up and 
re-echoed by the afliliated presses ihrougiiout the Union, 

^ was made the text of disappointed and unprincipled 
partizans, by ringing- the changes on which they sue-, 
ceeded, to a considerable extent, in deceiving the ignorant 
and unreflecting. 

The charge wa?, in substance, that by an understand- 
ing between Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay, the Intter was to 
receive the appointment of Secretary of State in reward 

^ for his Vote and influence in placing the former in the 
Presidential chair ! It is extremely difficult at this late 
day to record with patience, a slander so vile in itself, 
and so absurdly destitute of truth or probability to sup- 
port or excuse its malignant fabrication. 



40 

What was Mr. Clay's position in public affairs at this 
time ? The simple answer to this question is a conclusive 
refutation of the charge. He occupied the chair of Speaker 
of the House of the Representatives of the people of the 
United States. In the discharge of the duties of this high 
and responsible office, at that time second in influence 
only to that of the President, he had acquired a reputation 
coextensive with the country, and was' an object of 
interest and pride to the whole people as the " unrivalled 
Speaker." Could the exchange of the advantages, the in- 
fluence, and the reputation attendant upon this elevated 
station, for the drudgery, inadequate compensation and 
comparative obscurity— so far as this country was con- 
cerned—of a Secretaryship, be regarded as a Reward by < 
him who would consent to make it ? But the slander was 
reiterated over and again by those by whom it had been 
originally promulgated, until a large body of the people— - 
that people to whom he had been so long, so successfully 
and so earnestly devoted— forgetful of his pre-eminent 
"services, and of his high claims from character, station and 
fame, to their unlimited confidence and regard, at length * 
gave credence to it, and sympathising with the party whom 
they erroneously supposed to be injured, did grievous injus- 
tice to men whose past history, and elevated standing 
placed them above the temptation, and should have shielded 
them from the imputation or suspicion, of wrong. 

It is not, we believe, generally known, that Mr. Madison, 
at the commencement of the war, designed to appoint Mr. < 
Clay Commander in 'Chief of the Army of the United 
States. For his eminent fitness for a station involving 
duties so arduous and responsible, no doubts were enter- 
tained then, so universally favourable was the impression 



41 

in regard to bis versatile talents, and pone who are 
acquainted with Mr. Clay, or possess a knowledge of his 
character, temperament and services, will entertain them 
now. He was, however, the main support of the Madi- 
sonian administration, and could not be spared from the 
House, for which reason only his nomination to tho 
Senate was withheld by the President. Here was a very 
strong proof of the confidence of Mr. Madison in the 
ability, patriotism and courage of Mr. Clay, who after- 
wards declined repeated offers of appointment to the 
highest offices in the bestowment of this gentleman, whose 
estimate of his talents was so exalted that he twice 
tendered him a seat in his Cabinet, and when this was 
declined, a foreign mission of the first grade. 

By Mr. Monroe, the successor of Mr. Madison, he was, 
indeed, importuned to accept a Secretaryship, and when 
he found that he could not prevail upon Mr. Clay to comply 
with his earnest wish in this matter, he offered him a 
Carte Blanche of all the foreign missions. 

No reflecting or candid mind will doubt or deny that if, 
through Mr. Clay's influence, the election cither of General 
Jackson, or of Mr. Crawford, had been secured, the most 
honorable office in the President's gift, would have uteri 
proposed to him as his right. What possible advantage 
then, we may ask, could Mr. Clay secure to himself by his 
influence in the election of Mr. j\damp, which he had not 
before, repeatedly refused, or now desiring, was not 
certain of receiving from either of the other candidates ? 

It is well known to all intelligent men, that from the 
period of the Seminole war, to that of the unexpected 
jiomination of General Jackson for the Presidency, Mr. 

D 



42 

Clay had entertained and expressed, but one opinion in 
regard to his civil qualifications. Of the positive and com- 
parative fitness of Mr. Adams for the Presidential office, he 
was from long and intimate association fully qualified to 
judge : and he would have proved strangely false to his 
profession?, to his country, and to his own fame, if, with 
his strong convictions in regard to the widely differing 
characters of these eminent men, and of their respective 
claims to civic honors, he had, for a single moment, hesi- 
tated as to the course which duty so plainly indicated, and 
so forcibly urged iiim to adopt. Why then, it may be 
asked, did he abandon those advantages to which we have 
adverted, as attaching to the office of Speaker, and accept 
a prominent appointment in the cabinet of the statesman 
whom his influence had placed in that high office which 
he filled with so much dignity and usefulness? The 
whole of Mr. Clay's previous political life, furnishes the 
answer. Pie accepted the appointment that he might have 
the power, more successfully, and in a more eminent degree, 
of serving his country, by forming pait of, and in aiding to 
sustain an administration, fur the honor and success of 
which he fldt himself, in a measure, justly responsible to 
the psople. And here again, he exhibited an example of 
moral couragp, and of self devotion, for which we may 
search in vain for a parallel, unless, indeed, we find it in 
other periods of his own noble history. He was well aware 
of the violence of the storm of calumny, and of the exas- 
perated and malignant jealousy and hatred with which ha 
would be assailed by those who had endeavoured to 
obstruct his manly course in the path of duty, honor and 
patriotism, but, with a nobleness of purpose and courage 



43 



which will endear his name to all future generations, he 
made his election, and decided for his country ! If he 
had selfishly calculated the personal consequences of his 
patriotic course in rcg-ard to this matter, he would have 
abandoned the man whom his influence had elevated to the 
Presidency, to the relentless and unprincipled opposition of 
those who, like Mr. Richard M. Johnson, could declare in 
advance, that the administration of Mr. Adams should be 
"/)«f down, if as pure as the angels at the right hand of 
GodJ'* In a recent speech delivered to his constituents by 
Mr. Clay, he thus alludes with entire absence of unkindly 
feeling, to the consequences, personal to himself, which 
followed upon his determination to form a part of the 
administration of this distinguished statesman : *^ My error 
in accepting the office arose out of thij underrating the 
power of detraction and the force of ignorance, and abiding 
with too sure a confidence, in the conscious integrity and 
uprightness of my own motives. Of that ignorance, I had 
a remarkable and laughable example on an occasion which 
I will relate. I was travelling in 1828 through Spollsyl- 
vania, in Virgmia, on my return to Washington, in com- 
pany with some young friends. We halted at night at a 
tavern, kept by an nged gentleman, who, I quickly per- 
ceived, from the disorder and confusion which reigned, had 
not the happiness to have a wife. After a hurried and bad 
bupper, the old gentleman sat down by me, and without 
hearing my name, but understanding that I was froni 
Kentucky, remarked that he had four sons in that state, 
and that he was very sorry they were divided in politics, 
two being for Adams, and two for Jackson. Why ? I 
asked him. ' Because,' "e ^aid, ' that fellow Clay, and 



44: 

Adam?, had cheated Jackson out of the Presidency.' 
Have you ever seen any evidence, my old friend, said I of 
that ? ' No.' he replied, ' none,' and he wanted to see 
none. But, I observed, looking him directly and steadily 
in the face, suppose Mr. Clay were to come here, and 
assure you upon his honor, that it was all a vile calumny, 
and not a word of truth in it, would you believe him ? No, 
replied the old gentleman, promptly and emphatically. I 
Slid to him in conclusion, will you be good enough to show 
me to bed, and bade him good nigh!. The next morning, 
having in the interval, learned my name, he came to me 
full of apologies, but I at once put him at ease by assuring 
him that I did not feel in the slightest degree hurt or 
offended with him." 

In addi ion to the evidence we have adduced of the 
absurdity and utter falsity of these charges, the testimony 
is upon record of General Lafiyette, at tliis period the 
nation's honoured guest, of the honourable John J. Crit- 
tenden, the present worthy successor of Mr. Clay in the 
Senate, and of the entire delegation of that day, in Con- 
gress from Kentucky, which sustains in the most un- 
equivocal manner, the statement of Mr. Clay, that his 
Cvourse had been determined upon, and widely proclaimed 
lonw before his departure from Kentucky to enter anew 
upon his congressional duties. 

"Time as he courses onward, 

StiU unrolls the volume of concealment," 

and the miserable slanderer, if hot exposed by the treachery 

of his profligate accomplices, is often prompted by the 

upbraidings of a restless conscience to make spontaneous 

atonement for the injuries inflicted in wanton malice, oi? 

in earnest of expected, or of piomised reward. 



45 

The recent, voluntary disclaimer of Carter Beverley, of 
Virginia, who, whethe'r as the instrument of GeneralJack- 
son, with whom, we regret to say, they originated, or 
in the gratification of a weak propensity, to meddle, and 
desire to gain for himself a momentary importance, gave 
circulation to the slanderous aspersions, should for- 
ever, disabuse the minds of all who lent a credulous ear 
to the wretched calumny aimed directly at Mr. Clay, and 
by implication against Mr. Adams, also. 

In Mr. Beverley's letter of confession to Mr. Clay, 
(which will be found entire in the United Slates Gazette of 
March 2, 1342,) the following passages occur: " Although 
the time is quite far gone since I became very innocently 
instrumental in circulating throughout the country, a very 
great attack upon your character and virtue as a gentle- 
man, and certainly a very heavy one as a public man, I 
feel exceedingly desirous to relieve you, as far as I can, from 
the slander, and my own feelings from the severe com- 
punction that is within me, of having been, though neither 
directly nor indirectly your personal accuser, yet that I 
was drawn indiscreetly into the representation of an attack 
upon you. * * * My entire object now is, a desire I have 
to be exonerated from the belief of any special desire to 
injure you. * * * This letter is intended to show you that 
the long lapse of time, and tlie many growing circum- 
stances of the country and government, have long ago, 
convinced me, that the very greatest injustice was done 
you in the charge made. * « * I again say, that I am most 
thoroughly convinced that you were most untruthfully, 
and, therefore, injustly treated, for I have never seen any 
evidence (o substantiate at all the charge. * * * He who 



46 



WAS GENERALLY BELIEVED TO BE THE CIRCULATOR OP THE 
EGREGIOUS SLANDER AGAINST YOU, HEREBY REVOKES HIS 
BElIeP OF IT, AND UNEQUIVOCALLY DECLARES THAT IT IS 
UNPROVED, AND STANDS UTTERLY UNSUPPORTED TO THIS 
TIME, A PERIOD OF FIFTEEN OR SIXTEEN YEARS." 

Upon the retirement of Mr. Adams from the Presidency, 
a Committee of gentlemen of New Jersey, transmitted to 
him a complimentary address, which contained an expres 
sion of their respect, attachment, and undiminished con- 
fidence; and also of their approval of the measures of his 
truly republican administration. In his reply to this 
address, and in allusion to Mr. Clay, the venerable Ex- 
President wrote as follows : " Upon him, (Mr. Clay,) the 
foulest slanders have been showered. Long known and 
appreciated, as successively a member of both Houses of 
your National Legislature, as the unrivalled Speaker, and, 
at the same lime, mocst efficient leader of debates in one of 
them ; as an able and successful negociator for your 
interests in war and peace, with foreign powers, and as a 
powerful candidate for the highest of your trusts — the 
department of state itself was a station, which by its 
bestowal could confer neither profit nor honor vpon him, but 
upon which he has shed unfading honor, by the manner in 
which he has discharged its duties. Piejudice and passion 
have charged him with obtaining that office by bargain 
and corruption. Before you, my fellow citizens, in the 
presence of my Country and Heaven, I pronounce that 
charge totally unfounded. This tribute of justice is due 
from me to him, and I sieze with pleasure, the opportunity 
afforded me by your letter, of discharging the obligation. 
As to my motives of tendering to him the department of 



47. 

state when I did, let that man who questions them come 
forward. Let him look around among the statesmen and 
legislators of that day. Let him then select and name the 
man whom by his pre eminent talents, by his splendid 
services, by his ardent patriotism, by his all-embracing 
public spirit, by his fervid eloquence in behalf of the rights 
and liberties of mankind, by his long experience in the 
affairs of the Union, foreign and domestic, a President of 
the United States, intent only upon the honor and welfare 
of his country, ougiit to have preferred to Henry Clay. 
Let him name the man, and then judge you, my fellow 
citizens, of my motives." 

We feel it to be unnepessary to pursue this matter further^ 
The testimony of Mr. Adams, so full, so eloquent and so 
conclusive, must, apart from all other evidence, carry con- 
viction to every intelligent, candid, and honourable mind. 
Among the warmest and most devoted, at this day, of the 
friends of Mr. Clay, we have the pride and the happiness 
to rank this illustrious and extraordinary man ; and the 
following anecdote will prove that in private as well as in 
public he omits no opportunity of expressing his admira- 
tion and attachment for his friend: "I have frequently," 
writes a Washington correspondent of a New Jersey paper, 
•' observed ladies albums circulating through the House 
and Senate Chamber, with the view of collecting the auto- 
graphs of the members. One belonging to a young lady 

of attracted consideiable attention. Upon exami- 

nation, I found that it contained a page of well-written 
poetry, dated 23d. July, 1842, in the tremulous hand- 
writing of John Q. Adams. This piece was descriptive 
of the wild chaos at present spread over our political affaire, 



:43 

and anticipated coming events which would bring order 
out of disorder. The closing verse was as follows : 

" Say, for whose brow, this laurel crown ? 

For whom this web of life is spinning? 
Turn this, thy Album, upside down, 

And take the end for the beginning !" 

The meaning of this was somewhat mystical, but by 
turning to the back of the book, and inverting it, on its 
last page a piece was found with the signature of H. Clay." 

At the close of Mr. Adam's presidential term, Mr. Clay 
resigned the office of Secretary of State, and returned to 
his residence in Kentucky, where he was welcomed by the 
entire mass of his old constituents, with the most enthu- 
siatic cordiality. 

Upwards of three thousand persons had seats at the 
dinner^ which was given in honor of his return, and after 
a toast, expressive of their ardent attachment, of their un- 
diminished confidence in his patriotism, of their pride in 
his character and talents, and of gratitude for his eminent 
public services, Mr. Clay arose and addressed the assembled 
multitude for nearly two hours in a strain of the richest 
and most touching eloquence, and with a power which 
even he had never yet surpassed. In allusion to the trials 
of his position as Secretary of State, and to the flood-gates 
of detraction which his enemies had opened upon him, and 
after expressing his gratitude for the unwavering support 
he had always received from his constituents, he thus ex- 
pressed himself: " When I felt as if I should sink beneath 
the storm of abuse and detraction, which was so violently 
raging around me, I have found myself upheld and 
sustained by your encouraging voices, and your approving 
smiles. I have, doubtless, committed many faults and in- 



49 



discretions, over which you have thrown the broad mantle 
of your charity. But I can say, and, in the presence of 
my God, and of this assembled multitude, I will say that 
have honestly and faithfully served my country : that I have 
nevfer wronged it; and that, however unprepared I lament 
that r am to appear in the Divine Presence on other 
accounts, I invoke the stern justice of his judgments on 
my public conduct without the smallest apprehension of 
his displeasure." 

It is, we believe, generally known, that when the House 
*' resolves itself into Committee of the whole," the Speaker 
temporarily vacates the chair, calling thereto any other 
member of the House who presides during the silting of 
the Committee. On all such occasions when any impor- 
tant questions were discussed, Mr. Clay took an active 
part, and hence it was that he so frequently addressed the 
House during the long period, that he occupied the 
Speaker's chair. His spirits were always buoyant, and 
his disposition playful, and the tediousness of debate 
was often enlivened by his gay sallies of wit, and 
the graceful friendliness of his attractive manners. The 
late General Smyth, better known perhaps, by the soubri- 
quet of ^^Proclamation Smyth," on account of some famous 
proclamations published by hirn during the war, is repre- 
sented to have been a gentleman of considerable learning, 
but by no means an attractive or agreeable Speaker. He 
was, in truth, sometimes insufferably dull and tedious. On 
one occasion, while in busy search for an authority, he re- 
marked to Mr. Clay, who sat near him, " You, sir, speak 
for the present generation ; but I speak for posterity." 
" Yes," replied Mr. Clay, "and you seem resolved to speak 
until the arrival of your audience 1" 



50 



General Lincoln, of Massachusetts, when a member of 
the House, was discussing the Revolutionary Pension Bill, 
and in reply to a remark that it would, for a long time be a 
serious burthen upon the treasury, as many of the pensioners 
would be very long-lived, exclaimed with patriotic fervour, 
"_^Soldiers of the R-jvolution live forever!" Mr. Clay fol- 
lowed him in the debate, and expressed the hope that his 
" worthy friend would not insist upon the very great dura- 
tion of these pensions, which he had suggested." "Will 
he not," asked Mr Clay, " consent by a way of a compro- 
mise, ta a term of 999 years instead of eternity ?" 

Mr, Clay has always been an ardent and eloquent friend 
of these poor revolutionary pensioners. 

In the autumn of 1831, Mr. Clay was again elected a 
Senator in Congress by the legislaturs of his adopted State, 
and at the time of his re-appearance at Washington, he 
was nominated by the National Convention, which had 
assembled at Biltimore, a Candidate for the Presidency, in 
opposition to President Jackson. 

The old question of a tariff was again agitated during 
this session of Congress, and, as usual, had in Mr, Clay, 
an able and consistent advocate. We cannot resist the 
temptation to make, from one of his speeches pronounced 
upon this occasion, the following extract from his reply to 
the enemies of the American System, and the advocates of 
the fallacious and impracticable doctrine of " Free Traded 
It is graphical, and disposes of this chimera in a very sum- 
mary manner : 

" Free trade ! free trade ! the call for free trade is as un- 
availing as the cry of a spoiled child in his nurse's arms, for 
the moon or stars that glitter in the firmament of Heaven. 
It never existed. It never will exist. Trade implies at least 



51 

two parties. To be free, it should be fair, equal and recipro- 
cal. But if we throw our ports wide open to the admission of 
foreign productions free of all duty, what ports, of any 
other foreign nation shall we find open to the free admission 
of our surplus produce ? SVe may break down all barriers 
to free trade on our part, but they will not be complete 
until foreign powers shall have removed theirs. There 
would be freedom on one side, and restrictions, prohibitions, 
and exclusions on the other. The bolts and the bars and 
the chains of all other nations will remain undisturbed , 
Gentlemen deceive themselves. It is not free trade they 
are recommending to our acceptunce. It is, in effect^ the 
British Colonial System that we are invited to adopt ; and 
if this policy prevail^ it will lead substantially, to the re- 
colonization of the States, under the Commercial Dominion 
of Great Britain." 

We have now arrived at a period in the history of the 
country, through which it is true, we passed in safety, but 
with a renewal of all the elements of the furious discord 
and party animosity which characterized her struggle 
through the memorable scenes of the Missouri excitement, 
and which again, disturbed the foundations of our cherished 
political system. With the lapse of time, the wild spirit 
of NulUficalion, fostered by discontent and nurtured by 
the ravings of disappointed ambition, and which had its 
inauspicious origin in the new tariff law, waxed bolder and 
more insolent in its threatenings and denunciations. In 
South Carolina, the revenue laws which had been passed 
by Congress were declared, in an ordinance issued by a 
convention in the name of the people, null and void. The 
excitement was tremendous and alarming, and in the midst 



52 , ^ 

• 

of it General Jackson was re-elected, by a decreased 
majority, over Mr. Clay. In December, 1832, the Presi- 
dent issued his celebrated proclamation, in which he warned 
the Nullification party of the consequences which would 
follow a perseverance in the course they had adopted. " 1 
consider," said he, " the power to annul a law of the United 
States, assumed by one state, incompatible with the exis- 
tence of the Union, contradicted expressly by the Consti- 
tution, unauthorised by its spirit, inconsistent with every 
principle on which it was founded, and destructive of the 
great object for which it was formed." In conclusion, he 
announced to the people his fixed determination to execute 
the laws of the land, and that a forcible opposition should 
be repelled, for *' disunion by armed force is treason." 

Governor Hayne, of South Carolina, issued a counter 
proclamation in which the offensive doctrine was strongly 
upheld. He exhorted the people to disregard the " vain 
menaces " of the President, " to protect the liberties of the 
State, to remain steadfast in their allegiance to it, and to 
hold themselves in readiness to take the field at a moment's 
warning," in resistence of the President's designs upon . 
their independence ! Upon the re-assembling of Congress, 
the tariff again occupied, almost exclusively, its attention. 
The Judiciary Committee of the Senate, reported a bill to 
enforce the collection of the revenue. The aspect of 
national affairs was now gloomy in the extreme. Those 
at the helm proved utterly incapable of weathering or of 
allaying the storm which had arisen, and whicli threatened 
to overwhelm the noble barque which had before so gal- 
lantly breasted the billows that dashed in angry tumult 
against its sides. Disunion, with the destruction of the 



53 

lon^ cherished hopes of the friends of freedom and of 
mankind, was again threatened, and its direful accomplish- 
ment now seemed inevitable. 

It was at this juncture that Mr. Clay, sacrificing upon 
the altar of his country's peace and tranquility, his long 
cherished opiniong, stepped forward, and with his ''-Com- 
promise Bill" — the intention of which was, by mutual 
concession, to reconcile the apparently conflicting interests 
of the North and the South — lulled the troubled waters of 
party strife, and, a skcond timk, prksekved the integrity 

OF OUR GLORIOUS CONFEDERATION! 

To the wisdom, courage, and patriotism, evinced by 
Mr. Clay, upan this trying occasion, Mr. John Tyler, now 
acting as President of the United States, has borne the 
strongest testimony. In a speech, delivered by him in the 
Virginia House of Delegates in 1839, in favor of Mr, Clay's 
great measure of the Distribution of the Sales of the Public 
Lands, he held this manly and eloquent language: "In 
my deliberate opinion there was but one man who could 
have arrested the then course of things (the tendency of 
Nullification to dissolve the Union) and that man was 
Henry Clay. It rarely happen?, Mr. Speaker, to the most 
gifted, talented and patriotic, to record their names upon 
the page of history, in characters indelible and enduring. 
But, Sir, if to have rescued the country from civil war — 
if to have preserved the Constitution and Union from hazard 
and tot'il ivreck, constitute any ground for an immortal and 
undying name among men, then, I do believe, that he has 
won for himself that high renown. I speak what I do 
know, for I was an actor in the scenes of that perilous 
period. When he rose in that Senate Chamber, and held 



54 

in his hand the olive branch of peace, I, wlio had not known 
what envy was before, envied him. I was proud of him 
as my fellow-countryman, and still prouder that the Slashes 
of Hanover^ within the limits of my own district, gave hin\ 
birth." 

The Compromise Bill was introduced by Mr. Clay as a 
substitute for one which had the sanction of President • 
Jackson, and which contemplated the immediate reduction 
of duties to about fifteen per cent, on the foreign valuation ; 
it proposed a graduul decrease of impo-ts through a period 
of nine years, when they were to remain fixed at twenty 
per cent, on the home valuation. Its objects were to pre- 
serve, as far as possible, the American System, and avert 
an impending Civil War; and while both of these were ^ 
accomplished, its beneficent operation has been to save 
American Manufacture and Industry from the ruin which 
would have been the inevitable consequence of the project 
which it supplanted, and to unite the half alienated divisions 
of the country in the bonds of harmony and p.ace. 

The course pursued by Mr. Clay in reference to the dis- 
tribution of the proceeds of the sales of the public lands 
among the States, has added another chaplet to the wreath 
that adorns his brow ; while the opposition of General Jack- 
son to this measure — an opposition prompted by an un- 
worthy spirit of jealousy and dislike towards its illustrious 
originator, has injured his own fame, and been a source 
of regret to many of his friends. 

Originally conveyed to the General Government by the ' 
States in whose jurisdiction they lay, they were held in 
trust and in express limitation for the use and benefit of 
those who v/erc then, or should hereafter, become, members 



55 

of the Confederation ; and it was provided that distribution 
of the proceeds of the sales among them should be made, 
in the language of the Deeds of Cession, ♦' according to their 
usual respective proportions in the general charge and 
expenditure." 

One great " use and benefit" to which, with common 
consent, they were applied, was the extinguishment of the 
debts — several and cenfederate — of the Revolution, which 
were assumed and funded by Congress under the new Con- 
stitution. This object accomplished, the distribution of the 
proceeds of the sales of tlie lands among the States is a matter 
not of expediency merely, but of absolute right; required in 
faithful execution of a solemn contract; and which, at the 
present time, would be especially salutary, — lightening the 
taxation necessary for the fulfilment of the o'jligutions 
which some of them have contracted in the prostcution of 
their plans of internal improvement, and constituting, for 
those not thus involved, a fund for the great purposes of 
Education, and the development of their physical resources. 
But, apart from the manifest justice of the measure, and 
its influence in lessening the burdens and promoting the 
welfare of the individual members of the Union, it cannot 
fail to be directly beneficial to the whole nation, by remov- 
ing from the political arena a topic of contention and 
means of corruption, and by withholding from the revenue, 
an element, which by reason of its varying amount, must 
necessarily, be productive of fluctuation and instability ; 
leading to the alternate expansion and contraction of 
duties, and causing every department of Industry to lan- 
guish through the want of a fixed and permanent policy. 

Thwarted in his hopes respecting this measure, once by 
the assumption of the " responsibility " of its defeat by 



56 

President Jackson, and more recently by Mr. Tyler, who, 
with easy facility has, within a few months, both advo- 
cated and opposed it, it is still commended by Mr. Clay, 
together with the entire Whig party, to the common sense 
and true interests of the people; its adoption is demanded 
by the will of the nation, declared through their Repre- 
sentatives in Congress, where it has repeatedly passed by 
large majorities; and the efforts for its attainment will not 
be relaxed until crowned with complete success. 

Mr. Clay was constantly and laboriously occupied 
during the remainder of his Senatorial term. The rejec- 
tion of Mr. Van Buren's nomination, as Minister to En- 
gland', for violating the national dignity by presenting his 
country in a divided attitude, before the British govern- 
ment, and supplicating as a boon to party what should have 
been asked as the right, and in the name, of the nation ; — 
the resolutions of censure of General Jackson for his un- 
constitutional and arbitrary measures in connection with 
the removal of the public deposites — the re-charter of the 
Bank of the United States which had been unequivocally 
and emphatically demanded by the people, and of which 
measure, therefore, Mr. Clay was the most prominent advo- 
cate — the exciting debate upon the President's extraordi- 
nary and unprecedented protest; — in the discussion of al* 
these and many other questions of minor importance did 
this indefatigable and able Slateman participate with his 
accustomed eloquence and ability, establishing new claims 
to the respect and admiration of his countrymen, and lay- 
ing still more broadly the firm foundations of an enduring 
and overshadowing fame. As an instance of remarkable 
prescience, displayed by him in 1835, we give a short ex- 
tract from a speech delivered at this time in the Senate* 



57 

How truly did he then predict the policy of the adminis- 
tratlon towards the catastrophe now so widely felt and de- 
plored I " There being," said he, " no longer any sentinel 
at the head of our banking establishments, to warn them, 
by its information and operations, of approaching danger, 
the local institutions already multiplied to an alarming ex- 
tent and almost daily multiplying in seasons of prosperity 
will make free and unrestrained emissions. All the channels 
of circulation will be gorged. Property will rise extrava* 
ganfly high, and, constantly looking up, the temptation to 
purchase will be irresistible. Inordinate speculation will 
ensue, debts will be freely contracted, and when the season 
of adversity comes, as come it must, the banks, acting 
without concert and without guide, obeying the law of self- 
preservation, will all at the same time, call in their issues : 
the vast number will exagerate the alarm, and general dis- 
tress, wide-spread ruin, and an explosion of the general 
banking system, or the establishment of a new Bank of 
the United States, will be the ultimate effects." 

What was tlius; accurately predicted by Mr,. Clay, has 
since become matter of history, and _the following extract 
from a letter recently addressed by General Hamilton, of 
South Carolina, to his friend the Honorable John C. Cal- 
houn, pourtraying tiie present disastrous condition of things, 
is the more valuable as being the admission of one who, in 
advocating the election of GeneralJackson, was instrumen- 
tal in bringing upon the country the evils which he deplores. 

"This circulation," he observes, (alluding to that of the 
late Bank of the United States,) — " In the recesses of that 
financial wisdom which is past finding out, was destroyed 
by our friend General Jackson, when he slew the Bank of 

E 



58 



the United States with the arm of Samson, and almost 
" with the self-same weapon, too," when we recollect all 
the twaddle of the old gentleman on this subject. He, as 
Burke said, was certainly a "consummate architect of 
Ruin," in his time and tide, and had the happy faculty of 
impersonating a corporation "in his mind's eye," for the 
purpose of hating it as cordially as he once did you and 
Mr. Poindexter. When, therefore, Mr. Biddle entered 
into a contest with this hero of two wars, he forgot the 
wisdom of the Spanish proverb, ' That he who sets down to 
dine with the devil should eat with a long spoon.' What has 
been the result of this feast, in broken meat and empty 
plates you well know. It has left our country palsied 
indeed — hungry in flesh and poor in spirit. I doubt, since 
the creation of the world, whether such an example can be" 
exhibited as we have presented for the last sixteen years of 
folly and misgovernment. No Southern planter would per- 
mit his plantation for one hour to' be governed with such a 
lack of all sense and providence. The CafFras and Hot- 
tentots, in reference to their condition, I doubt not, have 
been governed with a policy far more vigilant and enlighted. 
A country of immense resources, in a period of profound 
peace, on the verge of bankruptcy. Any man who will 
read Hume's essays on " Public Credit" and on " Money," 
ca.n be at no loss to trace our present condition to its true 
cause. We have been suffering ever since General Jack- 
son destroyed the Bank of the United States, (with the 
exception of a short period of distempered inflation created 
by his own measures) under a steadily diminishing circu- 
lation, which the eminent philosopher to whom I have 
referred, has declared to be one of the worst calamities 



59 

that can befal a civilized country — far more disastrous 
" than the continued blight of unfavorable harvests and 
seasons." This result has been first in the constant action 
of the Federal Government, or their supposed meditated 
action on the Banks of the States, which created a univer- 
sal panic, thdt has compelled the Banks to withdraw their 
circulation, and next the General Government permitting 
to remain in criminal abeyance their sovereign function 
to supply a currency equal to that of the wants of the 
country, "to regulate ils value." 

The consequence is, that the States have nothing in the 
shape of credit, or money at home to pay with abroad. 
Every species of property has fallen from fifty to one 
hundred per cent, and the standard of value so seriously 
disturbed that a man in 18.39 might have had property to 
three times the value of his debts, yet he is now ipso facto 
ruined by the silent transit of our country from a redundant 
circulation to wliat some are pleased most felicitously to 
call a hard money currency — when the fact is that we can 
procure that wliich is neither hard nor soft." 

In 183G Mr. Clay was re-elected to the Senate of the 
United States, and besides the renewed discussion of the 
Land Bill, involving extraordinary projects of Mr. Calhoun, 
and of Mr. Walker of Mississippi, for the disposition of 
the public domain, the infamous Expunging Resolutions/ 
of Senator Benton, introduced by that arch demagogue 
more in hatred of Mr. Clay than regard for General Jack- 
son, and the final passage of which has left an indelible 
Btain upon the national scutcheon, — by prostrating the 
independence of the Senate at the footstool of Executive 
power, was long debated and manfully opposed by Mr. Clay 
and his Whig associates of that body. 



60 

We hope that the day is far distant when the people of 
this country, who should endure 

" Cliains no where patiently; and chains at home 
Where they are free by birth-right not at all," — 

will forget the fratricidal crime of those who, marshalled 
by such a leader, wantonly violated their country's con. 
stitution in sustaining a measure so despicably peurile and 
djliberately wicked. 

In 1836, Mr. Clay declined being a candidate at the 
Presidential election of that period, and Mr. Van Buren 
was elected through the influence of the chief under whom, 
with characteristic sycophancy, he once accounted it 
sufficient glory to have served, over General Harrison 
and Mr. White, the former of whom had fought the battles 
of his country, and grown gray in her service I 

Mr. Clay continued at his post in the Senate in the faith- 
ful performance of all the arduous dulies of the station, 
and upon every question involving the interests of the 
people and the honor of the government he was ever tlie 
most fearless and able champion, distinguished among 
Senators illustrious for talents, learning, and length of 
service, and justly regarded as the " Noblest Romaiv of 
THEM ALL." Tlie period for a new election of President 
of the United States to succeed Mr. Van Buren was now 
lapidly approaching, and the hopes of a large majority of 
the people were centered, once more, upon Mr. Clay. 

Mr. Van Buren was noinhiatcd by the purely democratic 
one term party, for Re-election ! The Harrisburgh Con- 
rention, in due time assembled, and it was the general ex- 
pectation as' well as the wish of the Whigs that their 
veteran favourite should receive an unanimous and cordial 
nomination. For reasons now too generally known to 



61 

require a particular reference to them liere, his acknow- 
ledged claims to this great distinction, were, reluctantly 
postponed, and the nomination of General Harrison re- 
ceived his prompt and generous support. 

Documents on record, relative to this Convention, ex- 
hibit in strong colors the generous and disinterested conduct 
of Mr. Clay. Writing in 1 839 to the Kentucky Delegation 
in that body, and alluding to the request made by the State 
Convention of Pennsylvania, that he vi'ould withdraw his 
name in favour of General Harrison, as being, in the 
opinion of that body the first choice of the opposition in 
that State; and also to the numerous appeals from private 
citizens, public meetings, and conventions in various parts 
of the United States, Pennsylvania and elsewhere, that he 
would consent to be a candidate, he observes, wilh charac- 
teristic patriotism and magnanimity : 

"It is perfeclly manifest that I cannot comply with all 
these conflicting opinions and wishes, nor, I apprehend, 
with any one of them, without disobliging the others. 

Under these embarrassing circumstance, I have thought 
it most advisable to leave to the Convention at Harrisburgh, 
the free selection of candidates as being the assembly to 
which, by common consent, that important duty has been 
referred. Representing, as it probably will, all parts of the 
United States, bringing together the feelings and views of all, 
comparing and weighing the local information which it 
will derive from every portion, it will be most competent 
to make a nomination acceptable to the great majority of 
its constituents. That it will be faitliful to the high trust 
confided to its judgment and patriotism, cannot be doubted ; 
and having a full view of the whole ground, it will be 



62 

more likely to make a selection agreeable to the great body 
of the opposition than any separate convention could do, 
however enlightened and patriotic it may be. If the Penn- 
sylvania Convention, to which I have just alluded, be right 
in supposing that the distinguished citizen whom it prefers 
would be more likely to be successful than any other, he 
ought to be nominated, and undoubtedly for that reason, 
will be nominated, by the Harrisburgh Convention, should 
it entertain the same opinion. 

With a just and proper eense of the high honor of being- 
voluntarily called to the office of President of the United 
States by a great, free, and enlightened People, and pro- 
foundly grateful to those of my fellow citizens, who are 
desirious to see me placed in that exalted and responsible 
station, I must, nevertheless say, in entire truth and sin- 
cerity, that if the deliberations of the Convention shall lead 
them to the choice of another as the candidate of the oppo- 
sition, far from feeling any discontent, the nomination will 
have my best wishes, and receive my cordial support. 

And, gentlemen, I hope that you, my friends and neigh- 
bours, will excuse the liberty I take in expressing to you 
my anxious desire that, discarding all attachment or par- 
tiality to me, and guided solely by the motive of rescuing 
our country from the dangers that now encompass it, you 
will heartily unite in the selection of that citizen, although 
it should not be me, who may appear to be most likely, by 
his election, to bring about a salutary change in the 
administration of the General Government — a change, 
without vi'hich we shall be mocked by the forms, and stript 
of the substantial benefits of free institutions." 



63 

The Whigs having elected their candidate by an over- 
whelming majority, were now prepared to carry out the 
measures, for which ihey had so long and so strenuously 
contended, when, by a dispensation of Providence as mourn- 
ful as it was unexpected, the power of action was snatched 
from their grasp, and the advantages of victory being lost, 
through the treachery and defection of the Vice-President, 
they are compelled to buckle on their armour and combat 
once more for the ground already so bravely won. 

The country is familiar with the extraordinary exertions 
of Mr. Clay in the Senate down to the period of his final 
retirement to the shades, and comparative repose of private 
life. His services, especially during the recent Extra 
Session of Congress, in degree and importance surpassing 
those rendered by most statesmen during a long public 
career, excited the surprise and extorted the respect of men 
of all parties. 

The course of Mr. Tyler, since his assumption of the 
duties of the Presidency on the demise of General Har- 
rison, has been a source of mortification and regret to those 
by whose votes he was, so unmeritedly raised from the 
safe and befitting obscurity of private life to the second 
office in the nation. His unexpected and extraordinary 
opposition to measures essential to the public welfare, his 
violation of pledges expressed and implied, his weak 
vacillating and destructive policy, (if that may be 
termed policy which exhibits no definite aim,) his pros- 
cription of former friends ; his puny jealousy of Mr. Clay, 
and his betrayal of every principle involved in his eleva- 
tion, have received, and are receiving the indignant rebuke 
of an insulted people. In reference to the Bank Bill 



64 

vetoed by Mr. Tj'Ier in disregard of all his previous 
declarations in its favour, Mr. Clay, in a speech of 19th 
August, 1841 thus nobly expressed himself: 

" Shall I be told that the honor, the firmness, the inde- 
pendence of the Chief Magistrate might have been drawn 
in question if he had remained passive, and so permitted 
the bill to become a law ? I answer that the office of 
Chief Magistrate is a sacred and exalted trust, created and 
conferred for the benefit of the nation and not for the 
private advantage of the person who fills it. Can any 
man's reputation for firmness, independence, and honor 
be of more importance than the welfare of a great people." 

In reply to Senator Rives, on the same occasion, he 
held the following characteristic and striking language : 
" The Senator says that, if placed in like circumstances, 
(with Mr. Tyler) I would have been the last man to avoid 
putting a direct veto upon the bill had it met my disappro- 
bation; and he does me the honour to attribute to me high 
qualities of stern and unbending intrepidity, I hope that 
in all that relates to personal firmness — all that concerns 
a just appreciation of the insignificance of human life — 
whatever may be attempted to threaten or alarm a soul not 
easily swayed by apposition, or awed or intimidated by 
menance — a stout heart, and a steady eye that can survey, 
unmoved and undaunted, any mere personal perils that 
assail this poor, transient, perishing fame, I may, without 
disparagement, compare with other men. But there is a 
sort of courage which, I frankly confess, I do not possess, 
— a boldness to which I dare not aspire, — -a valor which I 
cannot covet. I cannot lay myself down in the way of the 
welfare and happiness of my country. That I cannot, I 
have not the courage to do, I cannot interpose the power 



65 



with which I may be invested, a power conferred not for 
my personal benefit, nor for my aggradisement, but for 
my country's good — to check her onward march to great- 
ness and ^lory. I have not courage enough, I am too 
cowardly for that. I would not, I dare not, in the exercise 
of such a trust, lie down, and place my body across the 
path that leads my country to prosperity and happiness. 
This is a sort of courage widely different from that which 
a man may display in his private conduct, and personal 
relations. Personal or private courage is totally distinct 
from that high and noble courage which prompts the 
patriot to offer himself a voluntary sacrifice to his country's 
good. * * * Apprehensions of the imputation of the 
want of firmness sometimes impel us to perform rash and 
inconsiderate acts. It is the greatest courage to be able to 
bear the imputation of the v;ant of courage. But pride, 
vanity, -egotism, so unamiable and offensive in private life, 
are vices which partake of the character of crimes in the • 
conduct of public affairs. The unfortunate victim of these 
passions cannot see beyond the little, petty, contemptible 
circle of his own personal interests. All his thoughts are 
withdrawn from his country, and concentrated on his con- 
sistency, his flrmness, himself. The high, the exalted, the 
sublime emotions of a patriotism, which, soaring towards 
Heaven, rises far above all mean, low, or selfish things, and 
is absorbed by one soul-transporting thought of the good 
and the glory of one's country, are never felt in his im- 
penetrable bosom. That patriotism which, catching its 
inspiration from the immortal God, and leaving, at an im- 
measurable distance below all lesser, grovelling, personal 
.interests and feelings, animates and prompts to deeds of 



66 

self-sacrifice, of valor, of devotion and of death itself — 
that is public virtue, — that is the noblest, the sublimest of 
ail public virtues." 

It is grateful to turn from tiie petty and selfish strife 
of inferior spirits, and from the disgusting and pervading 
evidences of political expedients and intrigue, daily ey- 
hibited in the actions of public men, to the vigorous and 
efficient efforts of commanding talent, sound and various 
learning, pure and lofty patriotism, exhibited especially, in 
the career of the illustrious man v\^hose brilliant and in- 
structive history- we have thus imperfectly endeavoured 
to trace. It exhibits, in bold relief, the unwavering deter- 
mination of a strong, cultivated, ardent and superior m'ind 
to press onward in one undeviating course to the grand 
ultimate object of a patriot's ambition, — his country's 
welfare and glory. Of such a Statesman the whole coun- 
try has reason to be proud — his fame, his name, as well as 
his services are national, and who that venerates the 
Sanctus amor patricn^ that can feel and appreciate the 
power of matchless eloquence and genius, exerted for the 
sublimest of purposes — the preservation of the national 
union, dignity and honor — the promotion and advance- 
ment of universal happiness and freedom, can fail to be 
deeply interested in the past career and future destiny 
of such a man as Henry Clay. It matters not what part 
of the country may claim him by particular adoption, or 
may boast the honor of his birth, — his fame, — enduring as 
the race of mankind upon earth, — is the common property 
of the nation, and as such will ever be scrupulously and 
fondly cherished by a just, an enlightened, and a grateful 
people. 



67 

He has long occupied the first rank among the great 
men of the nation — pre-eminent for the fervor of his pa- 
triotism and stern public virtue, — unquailing courage, 
and determined faithfulness in the performance of his high 
national duties, he is moreover a Statesman of enlarged expe- 
rience, comprehensive views, and most magnanimous dis- 
positions ; and his varied and unprecedented labors, exalted 
and inappreciable services, entitle him to the profoundest 
gratitude and the highest honors, of his country, — honors 
which it concerns the national character cordially to be- 
stow. 

But it is more for that country's credit, happiness and 
prosperity than for the advancement of his individual 
glory, that his fellow-citizens wish for the guidance of his 
master-spirit at the helm, for no station can add lustre to 
Ids fame and universal experience proves that the heavy 
responsibilities of power countervail its attractions. His 
retirement from the Senate in 1842,— deeply as his con- 
viction of its propriety was regretted by the people, was 
regarded by them as a noble act of self-sacrifice at the 
shrine of his country's welfare. The position he occupied 
in that august assemblage made him the "observed of all 
observer*;" and the eyes and the hearts of the patriotic 
of all sections of this broad land were directed toward 
him with anxious solicitude and hope. But the intrigues 
of envious and ambitious politicians rendered his counsels 
no longer available for the public good. Measures, origi- 
nating with him and essential to national prosperity, were 
pressed indeed, with patriotic, fervor, upon those in office, but 
the wand of power was stretched forth,—" in envy of Great 
Ceesar,"— and all his earnest efforts for his country's hap- 



68 

piness were paralized by the selfish and arbitrary will of 

one man, whom neither merit nor services of his own, but 

a deeply afflictive dispensation of Providence, had elevated 

to a station towards which, in his wildest aspirations, his 

dazzle dvision had never, seriously, endeavoured to gaze, and 

the giddy eminence of which, so unexpectedly attained, has 

produced, through a lamentable bewilderment of ordinary 

faculties, a strange forgetfulness of honesty and truth, and 

developed his utter unfitness for a wise discharge of its 

high responsibilities. I^either can the powerful apologetical 

eloquence, nor the rare special pleading of the Secretary 

of State, as exhibited in his disingenuous and malevolent 

Speech at Fanueil Hall in September 184-2, win for the 

administration of the acting President the affection or the 

confidence of the nation, or rescue its head from that 

universal and abiding contempt to which he has been 

doomed by a deeply injured and offended people. 

" The age of virtuous politics is past, " 

^ndwe are deep in thtit of cold pretence. 
ralriots are grown loo siirewd to be sincere, 
../3nd we too wise to trust them." ^ 

Henry Clay has been too long identified with the patri- 
otic hopes of the Whigs, to permit his continued separa- 
tion from them for any other cause than that of death. 
Considerations of gratitude and admiration apart, the ne- 
cessities of a mis-governed and suffering country loudly 
call him from retirement, and the history of his life 
abundantly proves that her call has never yet been made 
in vain. 

We cannot better close this imperfect sketch than in 
the just and eloquent language of Mr. George Bancroft, 
the learned historian of the United States. In 1832 he 



69 

thus wrote in reference to Mr. Clay, whose opinions, prin- 
ciples and character have undergone no change, while cir- 
cumstances, extraneous to the present position and past 
career of the distinguished object of his glowing panegy- 
rick, have placed Mr. Bancroft foremost in the ranks of 
ultra-democracy. 

"In early youth and in maturer years, as a citizen and 
as a Representative, at home or abroad, in peace and in 
war, in the Chair of the House of Representatives, in a 
most important Diplomatic capacity, in the Cabinet and in 
the Senate, he has been the strenuous, indefatigable, elo- 
quent and triumphant supporter of those principles of 
government and policy on which the union of the states 
and prosperity of the people depend. The entire political 
life of this distiguished Statesman is a guaranty to the 
country that, beneath his auspices, the reign of violence, 
of arbitrary discretion, of secret influence, and peremptory 
dictation, will pass away, and that of civil rule will return. 
Under his administration, the people of the United States 
will enjoy, what they are now deprived of — the benefit of 
a government of laws. The directory of the administra- 
tion will be found in the statute book, and the other con- 
stitutional depositories of the law, and not in private exec- 
utive construction. Offices whose uncorrupt discharge is 
essential to the welfare of the people, will no longer be 
regarded as the spoils of victory. Appointments repeatedly 
negatived by the constitutional advisers of the President, 
will not be renewed, by his sole will, the moment that the 
Senate adjourns. The execution of the laws will not be 
suspended on the pretence of their unconstitutionality. 
The countenance of the administration will not be extended 



70 

to an unprincipled press, nor offices of trust and emolu- 
ment bestowed as the reward of llie slanderer. The pa- 
tronage of the government will not be exerted to defeat 
the will of the people. The great domestic interests of the 
country will be upheld by a steady unequivocal support, its 
industry will be spared the shock of a disordered currency. 
The faith of treaties will be kept sacred, and the honor of 
the United States will be sustained in their intercourse 
with foreign governments ; and the Union of the States, 
the precious legacy we have inherited from our fathers, 
will be preserved unimpared for our children." 




Hu^ ^amfiffell. 



"I was born a Democrat,— rocked in the 
cradle of the Revolution— and at the darkest 
period of that ever memorable struggle for 
Freedom. I recollect in 1781 or '82, a visit 
made by Tarleton's troops to the house of 
my mother, and of their running their swords 
into the new made graves of my father, and 
grandfather, thinking they contained hidden 
treasures. Though then not more than fc "• 
or five years of age, the circumstance of that 
visit is vividly remembered, and it will be to 
the last moment of my life. I was born jy. 
democrat — was raised and nurtured a Rep>b- 
lican — and shall die a Eepublican, in the faith 
and principles of my fathers " — 

Clay's Speech, in Indiana, 1842. 



THE 



CLAY MINSTREL. 



HARRY OF THE WEST. 

Air — The Star Spangled Banner. 
Lo ! the chieftain is gone from the scene of his fame, 

But the halo of ages shall gather around it; 
For his sword waved in Justice and Liberty's name, 

And Liberty's hand with her myrtle has crown'd it, 
He has mounted on high to the patriot's sky, 
While his country was last in the heart and the sigh, 
But joy ! tho' the hero has gone to his rest, 
His MANTLE is left to our Hope of the West. 

He sha" wear it in glory, in honor, in power, 

In despite of abstraction, of knaves and of treason. 
And the venal shall tremble, the coward shall cower, 

Ephemeral insects that flutter their season. 
Yes, the noble and great, in the forum of stcie. 
By the dictum of freemen, the flat of fate. 
Shall rule o'er the land that his labours have bhst. 
Our Harry, the dauntless, and pride of the West. 

He has stood like a rock when the tempest has roared, 
And the gallant have trembled at dangers surround- 
ing. 
'M id the war of grea t minds his warm spirit has soared , 
In the triumph of genius the proudest confounding, 

F 



74 

The tyrant's strong chain he has riven amain — 
Bear witness, fair Greece, and Colombia's plain ; 
Then deep in our hearts with the noblest and best, 
We'll shrine him, our Harry, and Hope of the West. 

Look o'er the proud scroll of your glorious names. 
From the light of lo-day, through the long lapse of 
ages. 
To souls that were honor's, and virtue's, and fame's. 

Whose fire and devotion illume the world's pages — 
Then turn in your pride where the whole are allied — 
To the statesman unyielding, the patriot guide. 
And point, while your gratitude beams all expressed, 
To Harry, our glory, and Star of the West. 

Fill, fill to the brim in the lymph of your springs, 
And toast him, fair Liberty's peerless defender j 
And bear it, ye breezes, on wondering wings. 

Wherever Aurora diffuses her splendor. 
Our banner's unfurled, it shall beacon the world, 
'Till the Dagon of doubt and abstraction is hurled, 
And we throne in his place whom his country loves 

best — 
Our Harry, the glory, the Pride of the West. 

F. R. H. 

THE WORKING MEN'S SONG. 

Tune — " There's nae luck about the house" — or " The 



Washvig Dull. 



>> 



Times wont be right, 'tis plain to see. 

Till Tyler runs his race J 
But then we'll have a better man. 

To put into his place. 
For now we'll rouse with might and main, 

And work and work away. 
And work ! work ! work 1 work I 

And put in Henry Clay. 



75 

The FARMERS want good times again. 

To sell their wheat and pork. 
And so, to put in Henry Clay, 

They're going right to work. 
They'll plough and sow, and reap and mow, 

And thresh and thresh away. 
And thresh, thresh, thresh, thresh. 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

The LABORING MEN that want more work, 

And higher wages too, 
Will help to put in Henry Clay, 

With better times in view. 
They'll saw and chop, and grub and dig, 

And shovel and shovel away. 
And shovel, shovel, shovel, shovel, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

The WEAVERS too will go to work 

For a Tariff and Henry Clay, 
Ihey'll make us the cloth we want, 

If they can have fair play. 
They'll reel and spool and warp and wind, 

And weave and weave away. 
And weave, weave, weave, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

We want no clothing ready made, 

From England or from France, 
We've TAILORS here who know their trade, 

They ought to have a chance. 
They'll cut and baste and hem and press, 

And stitch and slitch away. 
And stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 



76 

The HATIERS do not want to see, 

Their kettles standing dry, 
And so they'll go for Henry Clay, 

And then the fur will fly. 
They'll nap and block and color and bind, 

And finish and finish away. 
And finish, finish, finish, finish. 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

SHOEMAKERS too, with right good will. 

Will join the working throng, ; 
And what they do for Henry Clay, 

They do both neat and strong. 
They'll crirap and cut and last and stitch. 

And ball and ball away, 
Andball,ball, ball, ball. 

And vote for Henry Ciay. 

The COOPERS know, when farmers thrive. 

Their trade is always best, 
And so they'll go with one accord. 

For Harry of the West. 
They'll dress and raise and truss and croze. 

And hoop and hoop away. 
And hoop, hoop, hoop, hoop, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

The BLACKSMITHS will roll up their sleeves 

Their sledges they will swing, 
And at the name of Henry Clay, 

They'll make their anvils ring. 
They'll blow and strike and forge and weld, 

And hammer and hammer away. 
And hammer, hammer, hammer, hammer, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 



77 



And thus we'll work and thus we'll sing, 

Till Tyler's race is run, 
Aud then we'll have, to fill his place, 

Kentucky's favorite son. 
For now we'll rouse, with might and main. 

And work and work away. 
And work, work, work, work, 

And put in HENRY CLAY. 



HARRY OF KENTUCKY 
Tune — 'Tis my delight of a shiny night. 

Once more our glorious banner out. 
Upon the breeze we throw — 

Beneath its folds, with song and shout. 
Let's charge upon the foe ! 

Our chosen chief, alas ! — no more 
Shall place his lance in rest — 

But well we know the love he bore 
Our Harry of the West, 
bur Harry of the West, my boys, 
Our Harry of the West. 

Then brothers, rise and rally round. 

The statesman ever true. 
Until his name with trumpet sound, 

Shall wake the welkin's blue. 
And millions with admiring eyes, 

Shall call him from his rest. 
The Hero of new victories. 

Our Harry of the West, &c. 



78 

When sought the red coats, as of old, 

The empire of the Free, 
And British cannons once more rolled, 

Its thunder o'er the sea. 
Who loudest cheered our gallant tars, 

And fired the soldier's breast. 
Till victory hailed our stripes and stars, 

But Harry of the West, &c. 

And when no more the groaning South 

To Spain would bend the knee, 
But rising, at the cannon's mouth, 

Proclaimed she would be free — 
Who heard his burning accents fall 

And reared her starry crest, 
Young Independence, at the call. 

Of Harry of the West, &c. 

When e'er forgot the commonweal. 

And party waves run strong, 
'Till e'en the wisest halt and feel 

That every thing goes wrong — 
There's one the olive branch who brings 

And lulls the storm to rest, 
'Till peace comes on her angel wings, 

Tis Harry of the West, &c. 

Let Ty with Calhoun "jump just so," 

And dance " Virginny reels." 
Each striving which to Whigs can show 

The cleanest pair of heels. 
Let loco focos bid them hail. 

We'll head their trait'rous guest, 
Kentucky rifles never fail 

With Harry of the West, &c. 



79 

Let Van his mottled forces drill, 

'Till Benton swears 'tis hard, 
And captain Tyler shows his skill 

With his tremendous Guard." 
What care we for them, great and small, 

E'en though they do their best ? 
For old Kentuck will head them all — 

Our Harry of the West, &c. 

The honors which the hero won, 

Encircle not his head — 
Like withered wreaths, they rest upon 

Another*s brow instead — 
The statesman never faithless known, 

The worthiest and the best, 
Shall make them bloora again — our own 

True Harry of the West, &c. 

Oh ! ever green the sod that lie 

Above the sainted Dead — 
And o'er our path his memory, 

For aye his radiance shed ! 
It's hallovved light shall fall upon 

Our flag, where'er it rest, 
■ And write the name of Harrison 

With Harry of the West, &c. 

Then let the glorious banner float 

To the sunshine and the blast, 
Till victory sounds her bugle note, 

The din of battle past. 
No brighter name can lead us on, 

High on its folds imprest. 
Than thine, truth's gallant Champion, 

Our Harry of the West, &c. 

J. H. w. 



80 

GALLANT HARRY. 

Tune — Royal Charlie, 
Written for the Clay Club of Germanto\vp, and dedicated 
to all the Clay Clubs throughout the Union. 

Once more, and at our country's call. 

We're here this night to rally. 
From lowly cot and stately hall, 
^ From mountain top and valley. 

Come east, come west. 
Come strive your best j 
Oh ! freemen do not tarry. 
But strike the blow, your foes o'erthrow. 
And shout for gallant Harry I 
And shout for gallant Harry! 
But strike the blow, your foes o'erthrow. 
And shout fob Gallant Harry. 

When doubt and glcom o'erspread the land. 

And e'en the boldest trembled. 
Who was it took the foremost stand, 
A7id never yet dissembled! 

Come south, come north. 

Come boldly forth, 
And strike for Clay and Glory, 
ior this he'll stand the test of time,, 

And live in noblest story. 

And live in noblest story ! 
for this he'll stand the test of time. 

And live in noblest story. 

Then pass his honor'd name around, 
^Till echoes catch your thunder. 
The universal glad rebound. 
Shall make the Tories wonder ! 
Come one, come all. 
Let naught appal, 



81 

Brave boys no longer tarry, 
But stand by him who never quail'd. 

Our true and gallant Harry, 

Our true and gallant Harry, 
But stand by him who never quail'd, 

Our true and Gallant HARrtY. 

There's not a lass in this broad land, 

But vows she'd scorn to marry. 
The lad who don't give heart and hand, 
To glorious, gallant Harry \ 
Come east, come west, 
Come all the rest, 
'Tis ours the day to carry. 
And once again our foes o'erthrow, 
Led on by gallant Harry. ' 
Led on by gallant Harry. 
And once again our foes o'erthrow. 
Led on by Gallant Harry. 

Then here's a health to Harry's cause, 

Let not the wild notes tarry, 
'Jhy noble name our heart's blood warms, 
Thrice great and gallant Harry! 
We'll strive our best. 
And know no rest, 
'Till we the ship shall carry, 
And all our foes o'ercorae or won, 
Subdued by gallant Harry, 
Subdued by gallant Hairy, 
And all our foes o'ercome or won. 
Subdued by Gai^lant Harry. 

Our Western Hope— the hope of all, 

Through us shall not miscarry, 
For now we're pledged to rise or fall. 



82 
With noble, gallant Harry ! 

Come o'er the plain. 

Through sun or rain, 
We'll not AGAIN miscarry ! 

The summons heed, 

With steadfast creed, 
The CREED of Tip and Harry, 

Come once again, 

Through hail or rain, 

Be true and be steady, 

Be wary and ready, 
From traitors once more our councils to free, 
We'll stand by Gallant Harry. 

SAINT LOUIS CLAY CLUB SONG. 

Respectfully dedicated to the Clay Club 'of St. Louis. 
Tone. — Rosin the Beau, 

Come all ye bold lads of old '40, 
Who rallied 'round Tippecanoe, 

And give us your hearts and yoi^r voices, 
For Harry the noble and true. 

Come show the whole world that our spirit 
Is up again, *' sartain and sure ;" 

And push right ahead for our Harry, 
Great Harry — the honest and pure. 

Come forth, one and all, to the battle. 
Determined the country to save ; 

And strike for the Farmer of Ashland, 
For Harry, the great and the brave. 

A leader is he who ne'er failed us. 
So now we will give him our best ; 

Then shout for the friend of Home Lahjur. 
The patriot, Hal of the West, 



83 



For Protection he ever has struggled — 
His coat you will find is home-made ; 

He goes dead against the starvation 
That comes with one sided free trade. 

So for home, and home's friend, let's huzza, 

And never give over the fight. 
Till the corporal's guard and the Locos , 

Are put to inglorious flight. 
We're engaged foi the war, and we'll "go it'." 

You need'nt believe we'll back out ! 
For the flag of bold Harry is flying, 

And ''Harry and Home," we will shout! 

For Harry's the name we delight in— 
O'er mountain and plain let it flow ; 

For as true as you live, if we falter. 
To ruin we surely must go. 

A WHIG WAR SONG. 

TuxNE — Auld Lang Syne. 
O Freemen, raise the battle cry, 

And to you weapons spring ; 
With all the force your wrongs supply, 

Loud make the welkin ring. 

What though the laurels dearly won 

By courage, toil, and cost, 
Withered like grass beneath the sun, 

Have been through treason lost. 

Another field will them restore - 
In all their pride and bloom ; 

And twine securer than before. 
Sealed by a Traitor's doom. 



84 



And shall the Brave who late o'erthrew 
Their foes in might arrayed, 

Now shun the conflict they rene w, 
Led by the Renegade 1 

Then, to the rescue once again ! 

Rend from the Fox his prey ; 
And shout as home ye strike amain, 

The name of HENRY CLAY. 



HARRY, THE HONEST AND TRUE. 

Tune. — Rosin the Beau. 

Ye gallant true Whigs of the army 
That conquered for Tippecanoe, 

Come with us, and join now the standard, 
Of " Harry, the honest and true ;" 
Of Haf ry, the honest and true, 
Our Harry, the tried and the true ; 

Who « fought in the ranks," as a soldier, 
With us, for old Tippecanoe. 

We have not, my friends, now to lead us, 

Our former commander, 'tis true. 
For death has been here and promoted 

Our chieftain, brave Tippecanoe ; 

Our chieftain, brave Tippecanoe, 

Our gallant old Tippecanoe; 
He's left us to join the high army 
Of those who are faithful and true. 



85 

Yet in the same cause we're united, 

We fight the same enemy too, 
And have for our leader invited 

The friend of , old Tippecanoe ; 

The friend of old Tippecanoe, 

Our honest old Tippecanoe ; 
He's left none behind him more worthy 

Than Harry the gifted and true. 

We know that he never will leave us, 

To join with the enemy's crew ; 
We know he will never deceive us, 

He ever was honest and true ; 

The Statesman, bold fearless and true ; 

Our Harry, the honest and true ; 
The trusty and cherished supporter, 
A.ndi friend of old Tippecanoe. 

Our gallant old chief when he left us, 

Bequeathed us a " Captain," thought true. 
But the traitor has since joined the army. 

That fought against Tippecanoe. 

That fought against Tippecanoe, 

Our noble old Tippecanoe ; 
But come, boys, we'll yet ''■head tlie Captain,^'' 
With Harry, the dauntless and true. 

The victory we gained once so nobly, 

We've lost, and by treachery too. 
But shall ever the soldiers despair, boys. 

Who've fought with old Tippecanoe ? 

Who've fought with old Tippecanoe, 

The gallant old Tippecanoe ; 
Fide youj flints again — look to your priming, 

And — Fire 1 boys, for Harry, the true. 



86 

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY. 

Yankee doodle, Whigs huzza, 

We're done with Captain Tyler ! 
The man who is the monkey's pav/| 
Has » hurst;' alas ! " his hilerl'' 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, 
And proudly here proclaim him 
The great, the good, the valiant Hal, 
And shout whene'er ye name him I 

Our noble Harry is the man 

The nation most delights in; 
To place him first is now the plan. 

For this we're all uniting ! 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, &c. 

Then, Johnny, haste your " duds'"' to pack, 

Be '■'■spry'' and do not tarry; 
But run to " Old Virginny" back- — 

We want The House for Harry! 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, «fcc. 

For loud and long the country calls 

For him of bold Kentucky ; 
The name that traitors most appals 

Is Harry Clay, the lucky I 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, &.c. 

Brave Whigs I where'er the gallant song 
— " Log Cabins and Hard Cider" — ' 

Was choruss'd loud and echo'd long; 
Let this be heard — and wider I 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrali, «&c. 



87 



Old Yankee Doodle's noble tune 
Suits glorious Hal quite handy ! 

Then be it sung again '■'•righV^ soon, 
Sweet Yankee Doodle Dandy ! 

For farmer Clay then boys hurrah ! 

And prdudly here proclaim him 
The great, the good, the valiant Hal, 

And shout whene'er ye name him. 

J, S« L« 

HARRY OF KENTUCKY, HO ! lEROE : 

Air — Hail to the Chief who in triumph advaitcei. 

Welcome the strain that around us is pealing, 
Fraught with a music to Freemen so dear, 
Who but will join it, the glad truth revealing, 
Tiiat our victory's sure, our triumph is near! 

Back to his element, 

Madly impenitent. 
Proclaim to the world, the traitor must go ! 

Send forth the sound again. 

Raise high your voices then, 
" For Harry of Kentucky, ho ! ieroe !" 

Rouse from your lethargy, ye who have slumber'd. 

Brace on the armor once gallantly worn! 
Tell that the hours of King Veto are number'd, 
Ere you strip him of honors so faithlessly borne ! 
All ye hill sides awake; 
The charm let us break. 
And rise in our might for Freedom's last blow, 
Up from the valley all, 
Shout loud the battle call, 
" For Harry of Kentucky, ho ! ieroei" 



88 



Honest and true is the Kentucky Farmer, 

Firmly he stood when the tempest raged high ; 
Though the Union shook, no peril could harm her. 
While be guarded her helm with, unsleeping eye ; 

Unfurl the banner bright. 

Blaze high the beacon light, 
They'll shine on our path and dazzle the foe ; 

Down then with Tyranny, 

Strike then for Liberty, 
"And Harry of Kentucky, ho! ieroe!" 

Eally men, rally, now your chains rend asunder ; 

Let city and -plain, the bench and the loom. 
The plough and the forge, awake their Whig thunder, 
And join the fall chorus o'er treachery's doom ! 

Rise with the morning sun. 

Strive till the field is won. 
Once more to beam 'neath prosperity's glow ; 

Fly high our eagle bird,: 

As the loud cry is heard, 
•' For Harry of Kentucky, ho! ieroe, ' 

A SETTIN' IN THE CHAIR. 
Tune. — Sittin' on a Rail. 

When sly Van left the chair of state, 

And Tyler he slipped in by fate. 

He swore he'd make us rich and great. 

By settin' in the cHair, 

By settin' in the chair. 

By settin' in the chair. 

And presiding o'er the land. 



89 

But soon as he the great seat took, 
To the state kitchen he sent a book, 
And told what meats he'd have them cook. 
While settin' in the chair, 
While settin' in the chair. 
While settin' in the chair. 
And presiding o'er the land. 

Our state cooks moved about quite pat, 
And sent long Ti this dish and that. 
He crossed his legs and " cut it fat" 
While settin' in the chair, 
While settin' in the chair, 
While settin' in the chair, 
And ruling o'er the roast. 

But our state cooks began to see. 

That the people through this vast country. 

All wanted food as well as he. 

That lojifed within the chair. 

That loafed within the chair. 
That loafed within the chair. 
That loafed within the chair. 
And ruled the nation's roast. 

So finding people growing lank. 
They cooked a dish called the State Bank, 
And sent John Ti a slice, quite frank. 
To taste within the chair, 
To taste within the chair. 
To taste within the chair^ 
And approve the people's dish. 
G 



90 



It made Ti's gouty stomach sick, 

He " threw it up,'* and sent it back, 

Saying, " the folks shan't have a dish so crack" 

While I sit in the chair. 

While I sit in the chair. 

While I sit in the chair, 

I'll say what they shall eat. 

A chief cook raised an earthen tray, 
Made of the best Kentucky Clay. 
Crying, " in this kitchen I won't stay, 

While he sits in the chair. 

While he sits in the chair, 

While he sits in the chair. 

To say what folks shall eat." 

*' Ere I yield to his stomach's whim. 
To cook the people's right's for him, 
I'll leave the kitchen, sink or swim, 

While he sits in the chair, 

While he sits in the chair. 

While he sits in the chair. 

To spoil the people's fare. 

Now, this bold patriotic cook. 

Knows all our nation's cooking book, 

And up to him the people look. 

To gain their long lost fare, 

To gain their long lost fare, 
To gain their long lost fare. 
To gain their long lost fare. 
They'll place him in the chair. 



91 

THE WHJG RIFLE. 
Air — "Old Rosinthe Bow," 

Come true gallant Whigs of tke Union — 
Tiiough cheated, we'll never complain ; 
If a traitor has snapped our Whig Kifle. 
We'll pick flint and try it again; 
We'll pick flint and try it again, 
We'll pick flint and try it again; 
If a traitor has snapped our Whig Rifle, 
We'll pick flint and try it ag<:iD. 

This time we fell in with a Judas, 

A dotard both selfish and vain ; 
And he's made our Whig Rifle burn priming, 

But we'll pick flint and try it again. 

But we'll pick flint, &c. 

His eyes have grown dim with the vapors. 
Abstractions have addled his brain ; 

And whatever he shoots at he misses — 
But we'll pick flint and try it again ; 

But we'll pick flint, &c. 

Brave William, when he lay a-dying. 
Gave up the Whig Rifle with pain ; 

And for his sake, who gallantly won it, 
W^e'U pick flint and try it again ; 

We'll pick flint, &c. 

From the green fertile fields of Kentucky, 

A hunter steps over the plain. 
And his eagle-eye sights our good Rifle — 

And he'll pick flint and try it again ; 

And he'll pick it, &c. 



92 

Huzza ! for our bold gallant Harry, 

He lifts not the Rifle in vain. 
And straight to the centre she'll carry. 

When he picks it and trys it again ; 

When he picks it, &,c. 

Last war when our captive Sailors, 

Their cries sent abroad on the main, 
"Free Trade!" "Sailor's Rightsl" cried brave 
Harry, . 
Lads, pick flint and try it again ; 

Lads, pick flint, &c. 

And now when a dastard and traitor 
Has caused us to triumph in vain, 
True Harry leads on to the rescue. 
Crying, " pick flint and try it again !" 
^ Crying, " pick flint," kc, 

Henry Clay op Kentucky is our leader. 

Come, rally from mountain and plain! 
Think no more of the thing that betrayed us ; 
But pick flint and try it again ; 
But pick flint and try it again. 
But pick flint and try it again ; 
Think no more of the thing that betray'd us, 
But pick flint and try it again. 

CLEAR THE WAY FOR HARRY CLAY. 

Tune — What has caused this great commotion. 

What has caused this agitation, 

Tation, tation, our foes betray. 
It is the ball a rolling on, 

To clear the way for Henry Clay, 
To clear the way for Henry Clay, 



93 



For ^vith him we can beat any man, man, 

Man, of the Van Buren clan, 

For with him we can beat any man. 

Mechanics cry out for protection, 

'Tection, 'lection, and bless the day 
That set the ball a rolling on 

To clear the way for Henry Clay, 
' To clear the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

The merchants say there'll be no money, 
Money, money, their debts to pay. 

Until the ball that's rolling on. 

Has cleared the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

The farmers say there'll be no market. 
Market, market, for cattle or hay. 

Until the ball that's rolling on 

Has cleared the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

From all professions comes the cry. 

Cry, cry, speed the day. 
When this good ball that's rolling on. 

Shall clear the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

The great, the small, the short, the tall. 

Tall, tall, shall heave away 
To keep this ball a rolling on. 

And clear the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 



94 



Let honest locos stand from under. 

Under, under, without delay. 
Join in with us to roll the ball, 

That clears the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

We see the ladies on us smiling. 

Smiling, smiling, in their sweet way, 

One word from them would be enough, 
For Van or Clay to clear the way — 
We know they'll give that word for Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

We've spread our banner to the breeze. 
Breeze, breeze, and it shall stay 

Until the ball that's rolling on, 

Has cleared the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him,&c. 

Come all true hearted patriots rally, 
Rally, rally, your strength display, 

Doubt not the ball that's rolling now 
Shall clear the way for Henry Clay, 
Shall clear the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 



ADVICE & COMFORT FOR JOHN TYLER 

Tune — To de oberture oh de grand opera of** Lucy. 

Long." 

I've jist come down among you all 

To see what you're about, 
Good mornin niassa Tyler, 

Does your mother know you'ro out ? 



95 

O, mind your eye John Tyler,' 
And keep it open tight, 

Before you go a-head so fast. 
Be sure you're in the right. 

I tell you massa Tyler, 

Dis much for your good I do. 

If you trust de Loco Foco, 
You most sartinly will rue, 

Oh, mind your eye, &c. 

Dar is so many ob dem, 

Dat know how to turn about, 

And when you tink da'll put you in 
Da mean to turn you out. 

O, mind your eye, &c. 

Da'll put soft corn into your mouf. 
And rub you down with soap, 

Den keep dar promise to your ear, 
And break it to your hope. 

O, mind your eye, &c. 

Dar's massa Jim Buchanan, 

And Johnny C. Caihoun, 
Dar's New York Martin Kinderhook, 

Dat cunnin little coon. 

O, mind you eye, &c. 

Dar"'s old Tecumpsch killer, 
And de man dat roll de ball, 

Oh, I tell you massa Tyler, 
Da will trow you on de wall. 

Oh, mind your eye, &c. 



96» 



When da can no longer use you, 

As sure as you are born, 
Da will send you down to New Orleans, 

And trade you off for corn. 

Oh, mind your eye, &c. 

You hab wetoed all your honest friends, 

De " Tip and Tyler too," 
And wen de lexshun nex come round, 

Den da will weto you. 

Oh, mind your eye, &c. 

But dis time Johnny Tyler, 

When da goes to nominate, 
You needn't shed your precious tears, 

About de candidate. 

But mind your eye, &c. 

So dry your eyes mass Tyler, 

And make your heart content, 
For de next time sartin, massa Clay, 

Will be de president. 

. So mind your eye, John Tyler, 
And keep him open tight. 
When massa Henry Clay gets in, 
Den ebery ting be right, 

ONWARD! 
TuNK. — Rory 0''More. 

Onward ! — speed onward ! and spread to the gale, 
The time-honour'd banner our fathers once bore, 

And fast to the mast-top the star spangles nail, 
'Till our country's great conflict is gloriously 
o'er ! 



97 

They fought for that freedom, so long our proud 
boast — - 
They perill'd their fortune, their honour, their 
life,— 
And shall all be betrayed, or dishonored, or lost, 
And their sons hazard naught in the patriot 
strife I 

Then onward ! press onward ! nor pause ye to 
rest, 
While a foe to your country is found in the 
land! 
With a. cause that is marshalled by Hal of 
THE West, 
The bulwarks of freedom securely shall stand.- 

J» ba Lf 



A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNi: 
Tune — John Anderson, my Joe, 

Jolm Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 
' When first we were acquaint, 

You did pretend to be a Whig, 

For Harry, sir, yoa went ; 
But now you've got in power, John, 

The cloven foot you show, 
A curse upon all traitors, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 
The Whigs they fought t'gither. 

And many a canty day, John, 
They had with one anither. 



98 

But you have them betrayed, John, 

And why did you do so ? 
A curse upon all traitors, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

When nature first began. 
To try her canny hand, John, 

Her master work was man. 
But when she turned out you, John, 

She swore it was " no go," 
You proved to be but journey-work, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 



John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

Why will you be a fool, 
And sneak around the locos, John, 

Who use you for a tool. 
They're laughing in their sleeves, John, 

To think that you'll veto 
The only Bill can save you, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

The higher monkies go. 
The more they show their tails, John, 

You know its even so. 
Then get you out the White House, John, 

And homeward do you go. 
And make the people happy, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 



99 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

You've vetoed now the bill, 
And done an act of treachery. 

That must your measure fill ; 
Now go among the people, John, 

Their minds if you would know. 
And list to their deep curses, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 

LEAVE VAIN REGRETS, 

Air — Auld Lang Syne, 
Leave vain regrets for errors past, 

Nor cast that ship away — 
But nail your colors to the mast. 
And strike for Harry Clay. 

And strike for Harry Clay, my boys. 

And strike for Harry Clay, 
And nail your colors to the mast, 
And strike for Henry Clay. 

From him no treason need be fear'd, 

Your cause he'll ne'er betray. 
What name to Freemen so endear'd, ' 
As that of Harry Clay. 
- As that of Harry Clay, my boys, 
As that of Harry Clay, 
What name to freemen so endear'd, 
As that of Harry Clay. 

No vain abstractions fill his head,' 

To lead his heart away, 
For every noble promise made 

Is kept by Harry Clay. 



100 

Is kept by Harry Clay, my boys, 
Is kept by Harry Clay, 

For every noble promise made. 
Is kept by Harry Clay. 

Theu let not ruin's hated form 

Thus fill you with dismay. 
But gathering strength to breast the storm, 
Stand fast by Harry Clay. 

Stand fast by Harry Clay, my boys, 

Stand fast by Harry Clay, 
But gathering strength to brave the storm, 
Stand fast by Harry Clay. 

Rise, bravely rise, one effort more, 

Your motto thus display, 
Protbction for our native shore, 
Sustained by Harry Clay. ^ 

Sustained by Harry Clay, my boys, 

Sustained by Harry Clay. 

Protection for our native shore. 

Sustained by Harry Clay. 

And o'er our gallant Chieftain's* grave, 

Pledge we our faith this day. 
In iveal or wo, no change to know, 
Till triumphs Harry Clay. 

Till triumphs Harry Clay, my boys, 

Till triumphs Harry Clay, 
In weal or wo, no change to know, 
Till triumphs Harry Clay. 



*,Tlie lamented Harrison. 



101 

OH! HENRF CLAY WILL BE THE MAN. 

Tune — Nancy Dawson, 

Said Tyler Jolin the other day, 

How many are Clay men I pray ? 

Why Johnny dear, we're made of clay, 

And so we all are Clay men. 

Oh, Henry Clay will be the man. 
And turn and twist it as you can, 
He'll gain the day, and fix a plan 
To set us all to rights, boys. 

Clay men are all good men, and true, 
Their Clay will prove too hard for you. 
And no vile traitor, John, will do 
To stand among the Clay men. 

Oh, Henry Clay, &c. 

We'll cock our wigs and turn you out, 
Both horse and foot your forces rout, 
And Clay forever fiercely shout; 
That you may hear the Clay men. 

Oh, Henry Clay, &c. 

How many Clay men did you say ? 
Go count the stars i' the milky-way 
And ten for each and then you may 
Attempt to count the Clay men. 

Oh, Henry Clay, & c. 

For Henry Clay, we'll go the whole — 
Join head and hand — join heart and soul, 
The people's will knows no control, 
They shout for Henry Clay, boys. 

Oh, Henry Clay, &c. 



102 
Then gallant Henry, take your stand, 
We'll rally round you hand in hand; 
Despite the Loco -Tyler band 
You shall be head of the nation ! 
In forty-four we'll rout the foe 
And lay the frantic locos* low, 
And Johnny Tyler then will know, 
How many of us are Clay men. 
Oh, Henry Clay will be the man, 
And turn and twist it as you can. 
He'll gain the day, and fix a plan. 
To set us all to rights, boys. 



*Loco is good Spanish for a mad-man 

MY JO, JOHN TYLER. 

XuNE — " John Anderson, my Jo." 
John Tyler, dear, my Jo, John, 

I'm sorry for your fate, 
You've overshot your mark, John, 

You've signed the bill too late. 
The Whigs they call you traitor, John, 

The Locos hint it too; 
Alas, for the " veto dittos," John, 

I fear they will not do. 

• 

It is a thousand pities, John, 

That the mad wish cross'd your brain, 
As the head of this great land, John, 

To take your seat again. 
But, alas! this demon ambition, John, 

They say will be head-man too. 
And when he plants his foot, John, 

Will hurry rough-shod through. 



103 

You hope to regain your ground, John, 

But 'twill be labor spent in vain, 
For the moth that plays with the candle, John, 

Is never seen again ; 
Yet we bear you no ill-will, John, 

For we pity the one poor brain 
That trusts such a pack of fools, John, 

Though a Wise is in your train. 

And then we feel for our country, John, 

But " our Harry" tells us true 
That a single " flash in the pan," John, 

Will pass away full soon — 
But we're going to " pick the flint," John, 

And try the old gun again; 
One that is ever true, John, 

And Harry Clay's his name. n. r. 

THE DAYTON GATHERING. 

To Dayton we have come, my boys, 

AH in a great array, 
And we will sing and shout aloud; 
Hurra for Henry Clay ! 

Hurra, hurra, hurra for Henry Clay, 
Hurra, hurra, hurra for Henry Clay I 

He is the man for us, my boys. 

He's honest, great and true ; 
And he can beat that little Van, 

Or any of his crew. Hurra, hurra, &c. 

It's right to have the people meet. 

In a good old-fashioned way ; 
And when they've met to sing Hurra, 

Hurra for Harry Clay! Hurra, 5;c, 



104 

He lives in Old Kentuck, my boys, 
The Banner-State, you know, 

And she has lots of relatives, 
The nearest, 0-h-i-o I 

Hurra, &c. 

The first, is little Tennessee, 

And she is not so slow. 
And when election does come on, 

Tor Harry Clay she'll go. 

Hurra, &c. 

The next, is Louisiana State, 

On her you can depend 
To boost along old Harry Clay, 

A helping hand she'll lend. 

Hurra, &c. 

Old North Carolina is safe enough, 

For Harry Clay is she-. 
Old Captain Tyler she will head, 

And veto him " per se." 

Hurra, &c. 

When Georgia votes in forty-four» 
She'll rank among the best, 

Of those that help along the ball 
For Harry of the West. 

Hurra, &c, 

The next relation is that State 
Which is called Maryland, 

And she has pledged herself to go 
For the Farmer of Ashland ! 

Hurra, &c. 



Of the Empire State I need not speak. 

But this much will I say. 
That s.ie has done with her favorite son, 

And goes for Harry Clay. 

Hurra, &c. 

The Yankee States they are all safe. 

For Clay and Davis too, 
While " Little Rhody" opposes Dorr, 

And Captain Tyler too. 

Hurra, &c. 

New Jersey State is safe and true, 

For Harry of the West, 
For she has said that of all men. 

That man she loves the best. 

Hurra, &c 

The little State of Delaware. 

She's " glorious to behold," 
And in eighteen hundred forty-fou 

The right tale will be told. 

Hurra, &c. 

And yet there is the Key -stone State, 

And she'll not fail to be 
In eighteen hundred foity-four. 

With the rest of the family. 

Hurra, &c. 

The Wolverines are a set of boys 

The Locos cannot buy, 
And when they growl and show their teeth, 

For Harry Clay they'll cry. 

Hurra, &c, 
II 



106 

And "last not least," the Hoosier State, 

Will do what she has done, 
And give to Harry of the West 

What she gave to Harrison. 

Hurra, &c, 

In eighteen hundred forty-four 

The people al! will say. 
That for our President we'll have. 
The Patriot Henry Cloy I 

Hurra, &c. 
Three cheers for Harry of the West, 

Three cheers for Duvis too. 
Three cheers for Tom the Wagon Boy, 
Three cheers for ladies true. 

Hurra, hurra, hun-a for Harry Clay! 
Hurra, hurra, hurra for Harry Clay I 

THE SAME BRAVE OLD COON. 
Tune — The Anurican Star. 

Wake! Whigs, from your slumbers, oppression's cloud 
gathers, 
And treachery darkens the hue of the sky. 
Rise up with the spirit which nerved your brave 
fathers, 
Which thrilled in each breast, and which flashed 
from each eye. 
Dring the hearts that will meet the stern onset un- 
daunted, 
Bring the freemen who crave but the contest as boon; 
Bring the spirit which wide o'er your banners once 
flaunted, 
Bring the spirit of Forty, the same brave old coon. 



107 



Though the being raised up in the strength of your 
pov/er, 

Now scorns the proud spirits who placed him on 
high, 
In his palace he sits, but the thing of an hour, 

And trembles e'en now, as your curses sweep by. 
Speak out the bold tones of your manly defiance, 

Let treachery know 'twill be punished full soon j 
In the truth of our freeman we still have reliance. 

We'll conquer again with the same brave old coon. 

See ! our eagle again rises up in his gladness, 

Again the sun glids his magnificent form. 
Up, Whigs^ from your apathy, throw oflTyour sadness, 

Prepare for the battle with energies warm ; 
We've a cause true and noble which needs our 
assistance, 

We've a man pure and bright as the heavens at 
noon, 
With them, foes and traitors shall meet our resistance, 

And quail once again at the same brave old coon. 

One blow for your country, its laws and ils honor, 
One blow for prosperity blighted and fled. 

One blow at tke miscreant preying upon her, 
For the charter of liberty broken and dead. 

From the West, the loud voices of freemen are swell- 

Raise! raise the glad shout in harmonious tune. 
For our hope once again the loud chorus is telling 
r the " Farmer of Ashland," the same brave old 
coon. T. w. 



108 

OH! TAKE YOUR TIME JOHN TYLER. 

TvNE — Lucy Long. 

iVejust come out before you 

To sing a little song, 
It's all about John Tyler, 
And it isn't very long. 
It's all about John Tyler, 

That man devoid of soul, 
Who caused the tears of crocodiles 
At Harrisburgh to roll. 

Oh ! take your time John Tyler, 

Your reign will not be long, 
Come to my aid ye muses, 

While I burn his time with song. 

He triumphed o'er his party, 
And joined their willy foes. 
And now they do whate'er they please. 

And lead him by the nose. 
The trvst he violated 

That was in him reposed, 
And let a Whig present himself. 
The door on him was closed. 

Oh ! take your time John Tyler, 

Your reign will not be long, 
•'How many Clay men are there"' 
To 'burn his time' with song ? 

These things can't long continue, 

Let Captain try his best. 
He'll soon be forced to give his place 

To "Harry of the West." 



109 

Prepare then, .Captain Tyler, 

For that auspicious day, 
The people's voice will kick you out. 
And put in Henry Clay. 

Oh! take your time, John Tyler, 

The traitor's fate is sealed, 
The people's man is Henry Clay, 

none but him we'll yield I R. l 



THE WHIG BATTLE CRY. 

Tune— r/ie Campbells are Coining, 

Away to the battle, our foemen are near, 
The cries of their leaders are mingled with fear ; 
Their host is divided — their courage is fled, 
And the eagle of victory screams at our head. 

Then down with your enemies — rush to the charge, , 
They have set on our people dread ruin at large ; 
From mountain and valley their cries have gone up. 
They have drank of the contents of misery's cup. 

Then onward — our leader has ever been true, 
He lives for his country and battles for you. 
Old time in his hurry has honored his brow, 
And Harry for freedom is struggling now. 

Our banners are flinging their folds to the air. 
And the name of our champion nobly they bear — 
The friend of the poor man— the greatest— the best, 
The man that we love — Henry Clay of the West. 

J. D. vv. 



110 
THAT SAME OLD 'KOON. 

Tune — Woodland Mary, 

When Tyler found the reins of State 

So firm within his tyrant grasp, 
He chuckled at the course of fate. 

And then resolved the Whigs to rasp. 
In course of time the veto came, 

Inflated like a husre balloon— 
The Captain thought while he did Feign 

He'd hunt, till death," that same old 'koon." 

'' That same old 'koon" sat looking on, 

And seem*d to ponder o'er the scene j 
He wonder'd much, and studied long, 

Why John did with the Locos lean. 
The varmint thought John's head was crack'd, 

Or he'd been stricken by the moon ; 
Of sense, he knew, John's head much lack'd. 

To think he'd kill " that same old 'koon" 

But John, with this, was not content. 

More vetoes he must give his friends — 
His perfidy would have free vent ; 

Corrupt and vicious were his ends. 
The wolf, clothed like a sheep, came forth — 

Again he pkyed the selfsame tune : 
From East to West, from South to North, 

He'd hunt, till death, " that same old 'koon." 

A traitor's mad carter is short — 

He soon becomes despised by all j 
John Tyler, though within his fort. 

Will witness soon a (yran'ts fall. 



ill 

His merciless proscription told, 

Too well, how soon would be his doom ; 
The peeple, now, will soon behold 

His downfall by " that same old 'kooB." 
Whigs ! to your posts .'-^lift up your voice, 

You'll yet behold a joyful day ; 
Let all throughout the land rejoice, 

And shout aloud for Henry Clay ! 
For Henry Clay, the people's man, 

Prosperity will be the boon, 
Defeat the Loco Tyler clan — 

AuTah, bovs, for *' that same old 'koon." 

R, L. 



GLORIOUS HARRY CLAY. 
Tune — The Hurrah Song. 
Our patriot hearts for freedom burn, hurrah, 8cc. 
To noble deeds our steps we turn, hurrah, &c. 
We rally with the brave and true, 
With flowers the path of Clay to strew. 

Hurrah hurrah, hurrah hurrah. 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 

United in the patriot's cause, hurrah, &c. 

For freedom and our country's laws, hurrah, &c. 

Our hardy sons with pride display 

The spotless flag of faithful Clay. Hurrah, &c. 

Behold the Loco bands appear, hurrah, &c. 
Their brows o'erhung with rankling fear, hurrah, 
They falter now, they hear our gay, 
<o.r earthquake shout for Harry Clay. Hurrah, &o. 



112 



Then wind the bugles, sound the drums, Hurrah, 

Our stainless chief triumphant comes, Hurrah, &c.. 

His eye as bright, his heart as free 

As when he strikes for Liberty, 

Hurrah hurrah, hurrah hurrah, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah I j. k. 

HOW MANY CLAY MEN ARE THERE? 

DEDICATED TO THE CLAY CLUB OF SALEM, N.J. 

Tune — Rosin the Boio. 

Johnny Tyler in good time will know, 
By the shouts o''the Whigs every where, 

Whose voices of thunder will show 

Full " how many Clay men are there." 

The Captain will hear the sad news. 
Which will his dear Locos all scare. 

When the ballots of we Jersey Blues 
Say " how many Clay men are there." 

Vermont that is true as the pole. 

Will from mountain and valley declare, 

That the ball she as ever will roll 

With many good daymen yet there. 

Mississippi is ready to show. 
With Ohio, and stout Delaware, 

That all of them very well know 

A world of strong Clay men are there, 

Kentucky, the gallant and bold, 

The weak-headed traitor won't spare ; 

She'll proclaim, as she has done of old, , 
That none but good Clay men are there. 



113 

There's Mar^/land's voice he will hear. 
And Georgia as loudly will dare, 

To shout in the imbecile's ear 

How many firm Clay men are there. 

Carolina will echo the sound ; 

Louisiana it onward can bear j 
Indiana shall pass it around — 

For plenty of Clay men are there. 

From New York he shall hear it again ; 

In her strength she will make him aware, 
That through her wide-reaching domain 

Great hosts of strong Clay men are there. 

A voice from far Michigan comes j 
Massachusetts and " Rhody" prepare 

To tell, with Connecticut's sons. 

That a strong vote of Clay men are there. 

Pennsylvania '11 speak bravely for one ; 

And Virginia is ready to swear 
That, though Johnny Tyler's her son. 

Enough of good Clay men are there. 

WHIG SONG. 
Tune. — Roys wife of Aldivalloch. 
Harry Clay of old Kentucky, 
Harry Clay of old Kentucky, 
There's ne'er a man in all the land, 
Like Harry Clay of Old Kentucky. 

When foreign foes our rights denied. 

Whose voice aroused our martial thunder ? 

And when we'd lower'd old England's pride, 
Who still'd the storm that swept her under ? 
Twa's Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &.c. 



114 

When dread disunion reared its head, 
And civil broils our land distracted, 

At his approach the Hydra fled, 
Abstraction was itself abstracted, 

By Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &c. 

Who all his fond desires represt, 
To save his country from pollution? 

When friends were doubting who could best 
Restore our bleeding constitution, 

'Twas Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &c. 

The industrious workman's constant friend. 
He would exalt his low condition ; 

Protect his labour and defend 

Hina 'gainst all foreign competition. 

Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &c. 

True principles he will defend, 

Despite of all who dare oppose them. 

No curs'd abstractiohs fill his head. 
No cob-web conscience in his bosom, 
Harry Clay of old Kentucky, &c. 

Though treason's blight pervades the land. 

And tyrant veto rules the hour, 
" He's but a snap, a flash in the pan. 
So pick your flints and try your power," 
For Harry Clay of old Kentucky, 
Harry Clay of old Kentucky, 
There's ne'er a man in all the land. 
Can match our Clay of old Kentucky. 



115 

HERE'S A HEALTH TO OUR 0\YN HARRY 

CLAY. 

Tune, — Hurrah for the Bonnets o* Blue. 

Here's a health to the workingman's friend. 

Here's good luck to the Plough and the Loom, 
And who will not join in support of our cause, 

May light dinners and ill-luck illume. 
It's good from true faith ne'er to swerve. 
It's good from the right ne'er to stray, 
It's good to maintain America's Cause, 
And stick by our own Harry Clay. 

Here's a health to our own Harry Clay, 

Hurrah for our own Harry Clay. 
It's good to maifltain America's cause. 
And stick by our own Harry Clay. 

Here's a health to the sons of " Kentuck," 

Here's good will to her matrons and sires, 
Here's a health to our Harry, the pride of his State, 

Whose name ev'ry true heart inspires. 
Hurrah ! for our own Harry Clay. 

We'll shout him from Texas to Maine, 
If once in his life he perchr^nce has missed fire, 
" Pick his flint, and then try him again." 

Here's a health to our own Harry Clay, 

Hurrah ! for our own Harry Clay, 
It's good to maintain America's cause. 
And stick by our own Harry Clay. 



116 

THE WHIG CHIEF. 

Tune. — Hail to the Chief. 

Shout for our Whig Chief, the bold Ashland Farmer, 
From the East to the West pass his glorious name, 
No heart for his country beats truer or warmer, 

No mind glows more brightly with Liberty's flame. 

He who in danger's hour, 

With Demosthenian power. 
First roused our sons to repel the proud foe. 

With our votes we will lift. 

To our lands highest gift, 
And honor great Harry, ho! hieroe rol 

Shout for our Whig Chief the honest and fearless, 

Onward he comes to relieve the distress'd. 
The sky of our country so long dark and cheerless. 
Shall brighten beneath this great light of the west. 

Then raise the joyous song, 

Give the long pull and strong ' 
Tothe White House at last our Whig Chief must go; 

Fair trade shall flourish thcD, 

Justice shall reign again, 
And Freemen bless Harry, ho! hieroe! ro! 



THE CLAY FLAG. 

Tune. — Tke Soldier's Gratitude. 

'Tis fair to see yon banner bright 
Unfurling to the breeze ; 

'Tis joy to hear that shout arise, 
A Nation's voice it breathes. 



117 

And see upon that sunlit flag 
With glorious mottoes strewed; 

The patriot name which justly claims 
A Nation's gratitude. 

The stainless crest of Harry Clay, 

Its waving canvass bears j 
We proudly nail it to the mast. 

And cry, '•' gainsay who dares !" 
Breathes there the man who bears a heart, 

With patriotic fire imbued. 
But yields our Chief his well earn'd meed, 

A Nation's gratitude. 



JOHN TYLER'S SONG. 
Tune. — A wet sheet and a flowing sea. 

When Harrison, the good and brave, 

Was laid upon his bier, 
The whigs then look'd on mo to save 

The cause they held most dear. 
The hero could not die without 

A parting word for me ; 

He bade me truly carry out 

The system of the free. 

When Harrison the good and brave, 

Was laid upon his bier, 
The whigs then look'd on me to save 
The cause they held most dear. 

These dying words do truly tell 

How plain he did forsce, 
That when to me his office fell. 

All sense with it would flee. 



•118 

I knew I dar'd not then proclaim 

A word that would appal ; 
I'd strove hieh honors to obtain 

And hid my views from all. 

When Harrison, &,c. 

I promis'd fair, and told them then 

That I would carry out 
The measures those true hearted men, 

Had warr'd so long about. 
Though fain a mask I would retain, 

My evil heart to hide. 
That awful Bank-bill when it came 

It slipped it quite aside. 

When Harrison, ^ 

When first to me the bill was brought 

I piou3 scruples feign'd ; 
When chang'd to suit my ev'ry thought, 

The veto power I claim'd. 
Another term I wish'd to lun, 

And so without delay. 
Forgetting all the whigs had done, 

Their cause I did betray. 

When Harrison, &c. 
Tut they are just what they pretend — 

My conduct they despise — 
Their rigid virtue would not bend 

To aught beneath the skies. 
My native state it knew so well 

How oft I've " jump'd just so," 
To me it bid a last farewell 

A long, " long time ago." 

When Harrison, &c. 



119 

Pm like the old Egyptian king 

My heart's so hard to-day; 
All o'er the land a curse I bring ; 

It's glory's pass'd away. 
Jackson did bad, and Van still worse, 

And I too bad to name ; 
On history's page we'll stand accurs'd — 

Our deeds its pages stain. 

When Harrison, &c' 

From zenith's heights to nadir's view 

We've brought our own fair land. 
The merchant, tradesman, farmer too 

Have sufFer'd by our hand. 
The boasted blessinofs of free trade 

We now have fairly prov'd, 
Distress o'er all our land has made ; 

Yet we cannot be mov'd. 

When Harrison, &c. 

In vain I've reached ambition's height; — 

I can't retain my throne ; 
And soon, alas I I'll sink in night — 

No party will me own. 
There's not a thought to give relief 

Wlien all my power is gone ; 
"The worm, the canker, and the grief," 

Will prey on me alone. 

When Harrison, Scc. 

In wrath the nation speaks, Depart! — 

Its tones like thunder seem I 
I've acted a di-graceful part 

Since President I've beeri. 



1-20 



Earth mourns ! for Jackson, Van, and I 

Have rul'd with tyrant's sway, 
The brightest land beneath the sky ; — 
Its freedom cast away. 

But Henry Clay, he is a match. 
For Jackson, Van and me ; 
The chains we've forge'd he'll soon despatch, 
And set the people free. 



THE DEEDS OF CLAY, 

Tune. — The Bonny Boat. 
V\^hen in the south dread civil war 

Rose like a storm of night. 
And nullifiers near and far, 

Braced for the fiv^ld of fight ; 
Then sons of those illustrious sires, 

Who bled at Bunker Hill, 
Rushed madly forth to light their fires. 

Their brother's blood to spill. 

When from the vault of Vernoa first, 

A cry was heard aloud, 
And words of " Peace" in thunder burst. 

From fallen freemen's shroud. 
When swords leaped to the hero's Land, 

And glittered in our gaze, 
When terror reigned throughout the land. 

As in young freedom's days. 

When Clay, the nation's Solon stood 

Alone and undismayed. 
To save the flow of freemen's blood. 

The flag of Peace displayed ; 



121 

Loud and through the land afar, , 
His bold voice hu>hed the blast, 

Calhoun fell from the battle car, 
The storm of war was passed. 

Then Clay's bright eloquence still broke. 

Upon the nation's ear. 
The Senate shouted as he spoke. 

While thousands rushed to hear. 
They saw that hope again was nigh, ' 

A.nd hailed the happy day, 
The dangers in the Southern sky. 

At Clay's voice rolled away. 

The statesmen of the west arose, 

And with our hero's tongue. 
They hush'd the voice of freedom's foes, 

A rainbow round, them hung. 
A thankful nation blest the deed, 

And flags of peace unfurled. 
And envious nations gave the meed 

Of an admiring world. 

Her pen of gold, the hand of fame. 

From her high (emple took — 
And wrote Clay's never dying name, 

In time's eternal book. 
Like all the fathers of the state. 

He in that chair shall rest, 
To guide and make our nation great, 

And through all ages blest. 

No marble monument he needs. 

To crumble and decay, 
The memory of his mighty deeds, 

Can never pass away. I 



122 

Within the people's hearts enshrined 
He'll dearer grow each day. 

Free from distress each state shall bless. 
The hallow'd name of Clay. 



LIFE AND CONFESSION OF 

CAPTAIN TYLER. 

Alias, the White-house King, 

Sung by Charles Gary, at the Bucks County Pa. Har- 
vest Home. 

Tune. — ^'■Captain Kidd, or Uncle <S'am." 
He ealleth upon the state captains. 
Ye state captains so bold, bear my words, hear my 

words. 
Ye state captains too bold, hear my words, 
Ye state captains too bold who'd command all un- 
controlled, ' 
Don't for stubbornness and gold lose your souls. 

\_He telleth his name and acknowledges his tvickediuss. 
My name was Captain Tyler, while I reigned, while 

I reigned, 
My name was Captain Tyler while I reigned. 
My name was Captain Tyler, and I've bursted my 

own boiler, 
And the Veto power spoiled, sir, while I reigned. 

He beareth witness to the good counsel of the Whigs, 
and the warning voice of their fallen chief. 
My Whig fathers taught me well, tere I reigned, ere 

1 reigned, 
And their chieftain taught me well, ere I reigned, 



123 

The Whigs all taught me well, but my good faith I 

did sell, 
And I sunk the land in ill while I reigned. 

[He confesseth his treacherous resolve against the 
nation, and the people thereof, 
I made a solemn vow while I reigned, while I 

reigned, 
I made a solemn vow, whrle T reigned, 
I made a solemn vow, to the people ne'er to bow. 
And my schemes to carry through, while I reigned. 

[He layeth the constitution en the shelf, 
I the constitution held, ere I reigned, ere I reigned, 
By it I was installed ere I reigned. 
But to gain both power and pelf, I soon hid it on tlie 

shelf. 
And I ruled to please myself as I reigned. 

[He confesseth the murder of Samuel Revenue, and 
Fiscal Clay Banks, Esqs. 
Oh ! I killed Sara Revenue, while I reigned while I 

reigned, 
Him I plundered as I slew, while I reigned, 
1 killed Sam Revenue, and young Fiscal Clay Banks^ 

too. 
With my Veto daggers, two, while I reigned. 

[He destroys the 7iation's sole hope, and hope of her 
soul, Protection Tariff, Esq. 
I Protection Tariff Rooted, while I reig«ed, while I 

reigned, 
Though I called him to my door while I reigned, 
I his brother Land BUI scored with my Veto number 

four. 
And the nation grieved full sore while I reigned* 



124 



[Hetelleth the well known dying words of his master 
the great Sanhedrim and warrior, Harrison, 

Their great chief grew sick and died, ere I reigned, 

ere I reigned, 
In his boots I longed to slide, ere I reigned, 
Their great chief grew sick and died, but he called 

me to his side. 
Thus to me I thought he cried ere I reigned : 

" I wish you to understand when I'm no more, I'm 

no more. 
The true governmeat of the land when I'm no 

more, 
I wish you to understand its true principles so 

grand. 
And go for them heart and hand, I ask no more." 

[He confesseth his wicked disobedience. 

But his counsel lasted not when I reigned, when I 

reigned. 
For I let it go to pot as I reigned, 
His counsel lasted not, for my vows I soon forgot. 
And now Texas is my lot since I've reigned. 

I marched on my stubborn course while I reigned, 

while I reigned, 
It was Bent-on Loco force while 1 reigned. 
For a new campaiga, of course, we drained Uncle 

Samuers purse. 
But the deed has proved our curse as we reigned. 



125 

[He seeth the approach of foes. 

Now they come to gain the seat where I reign, 

where I reign, 
Old Tecumseh's drums now beat 'gainst my reign, 
Yet both him and Scott I'd meet, and I wouldn't 

fear defeat, 
But Kentucky's force complete gives me pain. 

[He feareth the "Wise man" of the west much more 
han the swords of the warriors of the Thames and 
Chippewa* 

There's a power from the West comes this way, 

comes this way. 
And their chief in wisdom drest, points the way, 
'Tis the wise man of the West of two-edged words 

possessed, 
And the highest and the best must yield to Clay. 

Now, I must beat retreat from the chair, from the 

chair, 
From the nation's highest seat to despair, 

Oh, I must beat retreat to the rogwes march quick 

and fleet. 
All my Veto is my wee toe's bootless stare. 

[Finally, he exhorteth political demagogues, young 
and old, to take counsel from his fate. 

Come, ye statesmen young and old. see me fly, see 

me fly. 
Oh, ye statesmen see how low I must lie — 
Now ye statesmen, young and old, in your power be 

not bold. 
Or to the bottom you'll be rolled like poor "Ty," 



126 
YE WORSHIPPERS OF TYLER, 

Tune,— ye Parliament of England* 

Ye worshippers of Tyler, 

Who spread ruin through the land, 
And pluck off her prosperity 

With treasons coward hand. 
Pause in your inarch of plunder. 

For there's one in your track. 
Will drive you from the state's high chair, . 

And bring her glories back. 

Think not your schemes can prosper, 

Think not to 'scape our eyes, 
When your spoils are wet with peoples tears, 

And by wronged tradesmen's sighs. 
Look on their once bright dwellings, 

Now deslitue and bare. 
While want's lank eyes are telling 

The hopes you've blasted there. 

*Twere better they were sleeping, 

Within the silent tomb, 
For never to their sunken hearts, 

Shall hope and trade e'er bloom. 
Unless each state despoiler 

Renounces on this day. 
The " veto" monarch, Tyler, 

And wears the badge of Clay. 

Your chief's dog star is waning. 

Now in the glowing West, 
Before the brilliant dawning 

Of Freedom's sun, the bestc. 



127 

It's blaze is lightning onward, 

Swift as the lightning's wing, 
And soon will write his veto. 

Upon your " veto king." 

THE ORATOR'S COMING. , 
Ti'NE. — The CampbeWs are coming. 

The orator's coming, huzza, huzza ! 

The orator's coming, huzza, huzza! 

The orator's coming, our nation to save, 

From the grasp of false Tyler, the despotic knave, 

The bold demagogues that would ruin our state, 

Must yield to our Solcn, and Cicero great. 

He has long lit our halls with his eloquence bright, 

'Tis he can bring day raid our nation's drear night. 

Our orator's coming, huzza, huzza! 

Our orator's coming, huzza, huzza ! 
Our orator's coming, our nation to save. 
And diive from her temple each false ruling knave. 

Each vile speculator with foreigners joined. 
To take from our country the money she's corned. 
His taiifF shall rob them of their tyrannous hold. 
And our own manufactures he'll nobly uphold. 

Our orator's coming, Sue, 

The false hearted statesmen who change ev'ry hour. 

Moved only by avarice, plunder and power. 

His vvidom shall sweep the pr«ud knaves from their 

throne. 
And each honest toiler shall then get " his own." 

Our orator's coming, &c. 



128 



Then freemen arouse, and with united voice, 
Shout all through the land for the chief of our choice. 
And let not the cause of the people once rest, 
Till triumphant our orator comes from the west. 

Our orator's coming, &c. 



UNCLE SAM'S TALK TO HIS MAN, JOHN. 

Written by John H. Warland, Esq., late editor of the 
Claremont, (N. H) Eagle, and sung at a Whig Dinner, at 
the Maverick House, Boston, on ihe glorious Fourth. 

Tune — Malbrook — or L, A, W, law. 

Here, John, come here this minit — 
Why, what the devil is in it; 
That you didn't take and sign it, 
That little Tariff Law I 
'Tis the best 1 ever saw. 
In my coffers cash to draw. 
When 1 put you on my farm, sir. 
You iinow I told your marno, sir. 
That T feared you'd do me harm, sir, 
And make your master jaw ! 
J, A, W, jaw! 
For I'll have it, if not the law. 

When I raised you from your station, 
You know you were a poor relation, 
If I'd give you a situation, 
Didn't you say you'd sign that law ? 

Now, John, you've done it, haint you — 
You precious lit'le saint, you. 
You're a pretty fellow, aint you, 

To set up your will for law ? 

But not a fig or a straw, 

Do you care for honor or law^, 



129 

You'd better be looting about, sir, 
For the moment your lease is out, sir. 
You will feci without any doubt, sir, 

The weight of this huge paw, 

P, A, W, paw, 

You'll have it if not the law. 

When I raised you, &C. 

When I set black Dan to watch you, 

I hardly thought that he would catch you, 

With a loco foco match, you. 

Among my hay and straw— 

Instead of signing that law. 

The cash in my box. to draw. 
The moment he turns, his back, sir. 
You are peaking through some crack, sir. 
Or giving some one a whack, sir. 

Setting up your will for law, 

F, L, A. VV.flaw, 

You can't pick in the law, 

\\ hen I raised you, (fee. 

My Yankee lads, away, sir, 
You're turning every day, sir. 
And bringing from Botany Bay, sir> 

New chaps unhung and raw. 

They know my tanfTlaw, 

With " hemp" their necks will draw! 
My jennies no longer spinning. 
My girls no money winning, 
My cotton fields beginning 

To make me curse and jaw, 

J, A, W, jaw. 

You said you'd sign that law. 

When I look you, &c. 



130 



You are ever mischief brewinsr. 
My farm is going to ruin, ' 

My woikmen swearing and sueing, 

Because no cash they draw — 

It makes them fret and jaw 

To think you won't sign that law. 
Of my farm you've sold the land, sir, 
Which I gave my boys in hand, sir, 
And you pocket the rent as grand, sir, 

As if it hadn't a paw, 

P, A, W, paw. 

The hugest that ever you saw. 

When I took you, &c. 

Why, where did you go to'sohool, John, 
That you think me such a fool, John, 
As the roast to let you rule, John, 

And make your will the law. 

Why, what a chap ! haw! haw! 

You're as bright as Governor Dorr. 
I took you to befriend you. 
But soon I back must send yoa, 
Without a recommend, you, 

Stupid Johnny Raw, 

K, A, W, raw, 

I find you're not worth quite a straw. 

When I took you, &c. 

Be packing up your duds, sir, 
I want to see you scud, sir. 
You've got me in the mud, sir. 

My teaifn you cannot draw, 

Why didn't you sign that law "i 

Such a coon 1 never saw ! 



131 

Next time I'll have better luck, sir, 
I've spoken to Old Kentuck, sir. 
To take my farm, and chuck, sir. 
You off among the sfraw — 
With his P, A, W, paw, 
He's the man to sign the law. 

When I took you from your station, 
You know you were a poor relation. 
If I'd give you a situation, 
Didu't you say you'd sign that law 1 

TRUE HARRY OF KE>fTUCKY, OH. 
Tune. — Green grow the Rushes, Oh. 

There's naught but care throughout the landj 

The nation can't be lucky, O! 
Until her men go heart and hand. 

For Harry of Kentucky, 0! 
Huzza for old Kentucky, O! 

True Harry of Kentucky, O! 
Prosperity again we'll know, 

Through Harry of Kentucky, O, 

The opposition know him good^ 

Though contrary they say, my boys. 
Their tory chiefs are only mud, 

Compared with our true Clay, my boys« 
Huzza for old Kentucky, O! 

True Harry of Kentucky, O! 
Their candidates will be no go, 

'Gainst Harry of Kentucky, 0. 
Sly Benton, he is Bent-on spoils. 

And swears the tariff shall not oo. 
But whigs will give him for his toils. 

Clay baits for his rag mint-drops, O ! 



133 

Huzza for old Kentucky, O ! 

True Harry of Kentucky, 0! 
The bright mint-hail again shall flow, 

Through Harry of Kentucky, O ! . 

His tariff then our rights shall guard, 

From foreign speculators free. 
And keep our money to reward, 

Our native toilers' industry. 
Then shout for old Kentucky, O ! 

And vote for old Kentucky, O ! 
The good old times again will grovr, 

From pure Clay of Kentucky, O ! 



THE STAR OF THE WEST. 

Tune — Bleeting of the Waters. 

There's not in the union, though we search it thro' 
A chief like old Hal of Kentucky, so true, 
And the one to restore our dear land so opprest, 
Is the bold Harry Clay, the bright star of the West» 

Long, long, has he toiled in our Senates' great hall 
To give equal rights, equal blessings to all. 
Corruption's sly serpents he braved in their nest, 
Unbought and undaunted — the star of the west. 
While the proud " Vcxo" monarch was toiling each 

hour. 
To step o'er our necks as he slept into power. 
The first heart that strove his foul sway to resist, 
Was bold Harry Clay, the bright star of the West, 

Then Democrat Whigs, to the rescue come all. 
Ere the Tyler-rack'd Temple of Freedom shall fall, 
With Clay we'll cement it, and illumine its crest. 
With the land-cheering light of the star of the West. 



133 

OLD TARIFF HARRY. 
Tune. — Good old days of Adam and Eve, 
Ye Whigs and ye Locos who little have to do now, 
Just listen to my song, you will find it true now, 
Our vice of a ruler has squeezed us into dizziness. 
All business is at stand, and we all stand for busi- 
ness. 
Since our new congress formed, nearly two years 

have run, sir, 
And what little they have " did," he has undone, 

sir, 
For the shoes that he slipped in his feet grew too 

big, sirs, 
And his head is too thick for a true Yankee wio-. 

(whig ) sirs, 
And the only head and feet that can both carry. 
Is our whole-headed, whole souled (soled) Tariff 

Harry. 
When they first took their seats they raised an alarm, 

sir, 
'Bout the form of affairs, which affairs they'd reform, 

sir, 
They reform'd all their pockets in a self serving 

job, sir, 
And left Uncle Sam without a penny in his fob, sir. 
But to fill up his purse, the only way now, sir. 
Is to go for the true old Tariff Clay, now, sir. 

When in the hall he'd got his foot, sir. 
He trimmed oflP his wig (whig) to the loco cut, sir, 
And he changed his mind, but to mind his chano-e, 
And the people thought it a vice most strange, sir, 
Hs's left them in the mud, and the only way now, 
For them to get out is to hold to Clay, now. 



134 

His patriotic soul was ne'er bought nor sold, sir, 
And his fine free Clay old Tyler couldn't mould, sir,' 
For he nobly refused each biibe reward, sir, 
And joined the people 'gainst the "corporal guard," 

sir. 
Then rise altogether, well make times gay. 
By putting in the chair old Tariff Clay. 

THE BOLD KENTUCKY BOY. 

Tune. — Highland Minstrel Boi/. 
Come, freemen, ere our land's undone. 

All gather side by side, 
Around bold Clay, great wisdom's- son, 

Columbia's boast and pride. 
To set a gallant people free. 

He did his soul employ. 
And to her rights he true will be. 

The bold Kentucky Boy, 
Remember our old Tariff Bill 

By him was carried thiough. 
And by his noble voice and skill, 

And yet shall gain the JSJew. 
He'll all the nation's wrongs repair, 

And give her sons employ. 
When once we get him in the chair, 

The bold Kentucky Boy. 
Then up bold Whigs, the glorious cause 

Grows stronger day by day, 
It is the first of nature's laws. 

That all must turn to Clay, 
It is the sterling freedom's ware, 

That nothing can destroy. 
And his true mould shall grace the chair, 

The bold Kentucky Boy. 



135 



FOR HOME PROTECTION AND FOR CLAY. 

The gallant Whigs have drawn the sword, 
And thrown the idle sheath away ; 

And onward is the battle word, 

For Home Protection and for Clay. 

We now have set the ball in motion. 
That like the sun rolls night and day ; 

While from the prairie to the ocean. 
Awakes a shout for Henry Clay. 

Farewell to sorrow, grief, and fear! 

Farewell to him who now has sway ; 
The day of change is drawing near. 

When he gives place to Henry Clay. 

We've drawn the sword, now rally all. 
As hunters at the break of day ; 

Leave cottage hearth, and festive hall. 
And take the field for Heniy Clay. 

For he is now the nation's choice, 

The nation's hope, tbe nation's stay ; 

Then shout with one united voice. 
For Home Protection and for Clay. 



JOHN TYLER, JOHN TYLER, THIS MO- 
MENT AVE'VE HEARD. 

Tune. — Berry Down. 

John Tyler, John Tyler, this moment we've heard, 
And not without pain, of your veto the third ; 
We pity a man's first ofl^ence, while we blame; 
But a man who thrice errs, no compassion can claim. 



136 

When you found yourself, John, in the President's 

chair. 
You might well be amazed how the de'il you got 

there ; 
You and your poverty saw, and you caught at the 

veto — 
It might magnify somevii^at a d d small potato. 

'Twas a hobby, this Veto, so pleasant to ride. 
That mount it you must, though the devil betide; 
Nay, John, e'en your fiiends at your folly will jest, 
And whisper, — " this hobby's an ass at the best !" 

By all parties you're, scorned as a base renegade. 
Who your own, and your friends' honest hopes have 

betrayed; 
They will make of you, John, a convenient tool, 
For the rest of the term of your President — rule. 

But presume not too much, John ; what accident 

brought, 

By a second good hap's not so easily caught ; 

If you think that a second snug term may be 

snatched. 
You may reckon your chickens before they are 
hatched. 

1 hen mark what I saj, John, your vetoes and all 
Won't hinder presumption from getting a fall : 
There's a proverb about, " the two 'stools," so be- 
ware — 
There's no sitting between them : John, John, have 
a care ! 

And as to your hint, John, throws out no off hand. 
That "the thing may as yet become law of the 
land, 



137 



If two-thirds of the house should agreed be about it ;" 
No thanks, John, for that— they can do so without it. 

And we call on them, John, as they luve the dear 

earth 
That gave them and their own "god-like ancestors" 

birth, 
To" come up to the scratch, arnd indignant efface 
The opprobrium your veto would fix on their race. 



THE CHIEF OF THE WEST. 

TviiE— Spring time f>f year is coming. 
The chief of the west is conning, coming, 

Whigs all must muster, night and day, 
Throughout the land they're humming, humming , 
And all their cry is Clay, boys. 
And all their cry is Clay, boys. 
Great freedom's bird soars lighter. 
Each patriot's hope is biigh'.cr. 
And freemen as they meet, now. 
All shout through hall and street now — 

The chief of the west is coming, &c. 

Each patriot's heart is svvelling, swelling, 
With hope of Clay and prosperous days. 

Large meetings now are telling, telling, 

That all will go for Clay, boys, 

Clay'll make the Corporal guard retreat. 
With all who mock the people's will, 

And while he fills the lofty seat. 

The lapd with wealth and peace he'll fill, 

The chief of the west is coming, &.c. 
K 



138 

SALE OF THE TOOLS. 

Tune — Bvllynamona ora. 

Here a choice set of tools by somt faith tumersm^Ae, 
The_y fit you quite handy to whatever your trade. 
Except it be " cabinet making" — I duubt ! • 
But ia that stale service they're rather worn out. 

Sing Byllynamona ora, 

Come buy the political tools. 

Their owner must soon close his shop by your will. 
Or else he would put on the Tyle with them still — 
There's one of them Bent on the blade 'gainst a tariff] 
And soon send the shop where he's used to a Sheriff. 

Sing Byllynamona ora, 

Come buy our political tools. 

Their edges are dullish it must be confessed. 

And their temper like Tommy's is none of the best, 

But you'll find them all hard working tools upon 

trying, 
Were it but for their "brass" they're well worth the 

buying. 

Sing Byllynamona ora, 

Come buy our political tools. 

They're famous for making blind sliders and screens,. 
They're some of them excellent turning machines, 
They're made of pig iron, and worthy of note 'tis, 
They'll melt as you please at a half minute's notice. 

Sing Byllynamona ora. 

Come buy my political tools. 

(^ome, here is a " Tyler tool" going, once, twice. 
This implement, gentlemen, once was a f^ice, 



139 

'Tls a stubborn and close sort of a tool that wont let 
A thing from its grasp it once happens to get. 

Sing Byllynamona ora, 

Come buy my political tools. 
It was placed but by chance on the top of the budget, 
Of its use you have all been well able to judge it. 
Must first be knocked off— come then, bid away pray, 
I'll give it in tradefor some Kentucky Clay, 

Sing Byllynamona ora, 

Come buy my political tools, 

' CLAY, OUR NATION'S GLORY. 

Tune. — March to the Battle Field, 
A chief's in the gallant West, 

His name is high in story, 
He's doomed to make us blest, 
''TisClav, our nation's glory. 
Ihen swell on high, 
Tiie Tariff cry, 
And keep his name before ye. 
And honest Hal, 
Presiding shall,' 
To happy days restore ye. 

A chief's in the gallant west, &c. 
Hail, Clay, great Freedom's star, 

From thee naught can divide us. 
Whose eloquence can fire in war, , 

Whose words in peace can guide us. 
Then freemen rouse. 
His cause espouse, 
A brighter day's before ye, 
The bright star, Clay, 
Illumes your way, 
To happiness and glory. A chief's in, &c. 



140 

THE HEROES OF THE MIND. 

Beneath the rule of men entirely great. 

The Pen is mightier than the sword.— Richclieit. 

Tune. — Star Spangled Banner, 

Let bards unto fame on the lyre proclaim. 

The worth of the heroes who flourish the sabre, 
But laurels more stainless those sages can claim. 
Whose voices or pens for their countrymen labour. 
A nation may boast 
Of the walls on her coast. 
Their homes to defend from the enemy's host, 
But a country's defenders will ne'er show their might, 
Till the pen, or the orator, stirs them to fight. 

Remember th3 bold words of Adams and Paine, 

That raised Freedom's sons in our dark revolution. 
And when Briton's crown sent her ships on our main, 
'Twas Clay stirred the land on for bold restitution- 
Then shout for Great Clay, 
Soon our Lnd lie shall sway. 
He'll guide us and rouse us at danger's dark days 
With joy and prosperity, shall all be blest. 
When the chair holds the heroic sage of the West. 

THE CLAY GATHERING. 
Tune. — The Macgregor^s Gathering. 

The land-shout rings loud for our bold Hero Clay, 
And his name and the true cause grows brighter 

each day, 
Our signal to go for onr Tariff and laws, 
Must be heard in our shout for bold Harry, huzza! 
Then huzza ! buzza ! huzza ! for Harry, boys, 



141 



The treasury's sapped by political beagles, 
We'll muzzle the hounds and restore our lost eagles. 
Then gather, gather, gather, 
Gather, gather, gather, gather. 

While we've patriot's like Clay, our dear land to 

deliver. 
Her freedom and glory shall flourish forever. 
Our fair land is plundered. 

By demagogue powers, 
Its trade and its treasures. 

No longer are ours ; 
We are tradeless, and fundless, 
Fundless freemen all. 

Fundless, &.c. 

Through our towns, plains and mountains, our ban- 
ners we'll rear. 

For reform ind a Tariff, still louder we'll cheer. 

And our cliffs and green mountains shall moulder 
' away. 

Ere we yield up our cause or our patriot Clay. 

Then huzza ! huzza! huzza! for bold Harry, boys, 

Though our nation is plundered by Ty and his 
beagles. 

We will muzzle his hounds and restore our lost 
eagles. 

Then gather, gather, gather, &c. 
While we've sages like Clay, our de^r land to deliver> 
Her freedom and glory shall flourish forever. 

And thus, &c. 



142 

HEADING CAPTAIN TYLER. 
TuNj; — Teddy the Tyler, 

THE captain's soliloquy. 

Here will [ still command in state. 
In spite of all the senate's prate. 
And I'll still be in spite of fate. 
The same bold Captaia Tyler. 
They're kicking up a great confusion, 
'£out ♦' Vetoes" and the constitution. 
And pass presumptuous resolutions. 
To "head me" by a revolution ! 
But with my "guard" I'll spoil their fun, 
And armed with loco sword and gun, 
I'll make the rogues to Texas run. 
Or hang up every mother's son, 
For here I'll still command in state, 
In spite of all the people's prate. 
And I'll still be in spite of fate. 
The same bold Captaia Tyler, 

Prom Washington the other night. 
Came an " Express" with all his might. 
To tell us of a trick so bright. 

To head bold Captain Tyler. 
Bold Tyler is a loco man. 
With /ace and coat to turn quite jam. 
And every day he's forming plans, 
To bind us freemen in his bands. 
But uncle Sam saw through his plots. 
And says I'll give the rogues the trots. 
And bade the whole house try the Botts^ 

To head bold Captain Tyler. 



143 

Sing up bold whlgs and toil away, 
Muster and bluster night and day, 
'Tis only by Keniucky Clay, 
We can head Captain Tyler. 

As the captain marched on without fear, 
And spread hard times in his career. 
The BoTTS drew all his party near, 

To head bold Captain Tyler, 
They cross'd his road with arrays of Bills, 
To stop him and the nation's ills, 
With double acts they hemmed him in. 
But he " hem'd " and slipped out again. 
And with the Veto two-edged sword. 
Their form of state relief he scored, 
Now they must cross his way " two thirds," 
To head bold Captain Tyler. 

Then up, ye Whigs, and toil away. 
Gather all weather, night and day, 
'Tis only by Kentucky Clay, 
You can head Captain Tyler. 



APPEAL TO FREEMEN. 

XuNE — Bruce' s Address. * 

Freemen whom your states adore, '', 
And your blood bought rights of yore, 
Rally now and you'll restore. 

Your past prosperity. 
Delay not Isoys another hour. 
Up each state and town to scour. 
Show the glorious might and power, 

Of men that will be free. 



1%. 

Up bold whigs with speech and song. 
Name your rights — redress your wrongs. 
Shout the huzza, loud and long. 

For Clay and liberty. 
By his noble heart and voice, 
He is now the people's choiceB. 
He will make the land rejoice. 

And burst Ty's ty-ranny. 

Workies whoso long have borne, 
Tyler's falsehood-schemes and scorn. 
No more in quiet meet and mourn, 

House in your majesty. 
Kemember ye opprest and low, 
" Who would bej'tee must strike the hlow/^ 
On then to the struggle go, 

Nor cease till you are free. 

Sons of ' seventy-six's' souls, 

Through whose veins their true blood rollSi 

Shall it be said a king controls 

Your nation's destiny? 
Shall a chief that high seat fill,. 
Who defies the peoples will. 
And would plunge us deeper still. 

In ruin and misery ? 

Shall a despot's word command. 
The "bone and sinew of the land,"" 
Snatching from the toll-sore hand. 

The rights of industry ? 
Rouse then, brothers, now's the day. 
To the ballot box for Clay, 
Sweep the bugs that on us prey, 

In hum-6»^'s livery. 



145 

Vain Is all the Captain's post, 
Corporal guard, and loco post. 
With noble Clay, the nation's boast, 

V/ell make 'em turn and flee. 
Try the " Distributions"' power. 
And the noble White House scour, 
Millions then shall bless the hour, 

When Clay our chief shall be. 
Vain are the props on which they rest, 
Calhoun and Van can't stand the test. 
Against bold Harry of the west. 

The honest, wise and free. 



THE CLAY RALLY CRY. 

Tune — All the Blue Bonnets. 
Out, out, whigs and true democrats. 

To the rescue of liberty come in qwick order. 
Out, out, with your Clay shouts and waving hats, 
Freedom calls Hal of Kentucky to guard her. 
Far your bright banner spread, 
" Clay at our Nation's Head," 
His voice plead for fieedom and shamM ev'^ry tory. 
Rouse men of Clay then, 
Resolve to be Clay men. 
He'll guide us to wealih and restore us to glory, 
Out, out, whigs and true democrats, &c. 

Arouse in the North where false statesmen oppress 
you, 

Arouse in the Soutli where your trade tiiey've 
crushed low. 
Arouse in the East by the patriots that blessed you, 
Arouse in the West where the Clay heroes grow, 



146 

Hark, freedom is calling. 
Her dear Temple's falling. 
Then to the bold rescue come all in quick order, 
Freemen shall bless the day, 
When iheir true hero Clay, 
Took our Nation's hi^h post to preserve and to guard 
her. 
Out, out, whigs and true democrats. 
Millions are calling, then out in quick order, 
Out, out, with your Clay flag and waving hats. 
Freedom calls Hal of Kentucky to guard her. 



H A RRY CLAY. 
Tune — Harry Bluff* 
Harry Clay when a boy was without friends or home. 
Left a poor orphan lad on the cold earth to roam, 
But the fire of his genius flashed early to view. 
And .he filled all with wonder the older he grew. 
Tho' his mind it was young, he won sages' applause. 
When our land was in danger, he roused hearts in 

her cause. 
Old statesmen all cried he'd one day lead the — Van 

(Van B) 
Tho' in years but a boy, he'd the wisdom of man. 
And the soul of a pure Yankee Freeman. 

Ere to manhood advanced, he a statesman became. 
And toiled for his dear country's freedom and fame. 
So true to his party — in council so brave. 
The thunder of his voice hushed each treacherous 

knave. 
If our nation was wronged, his heart leaped at the 

sound. 



147 



And the power of his mind awed the nations around. 
Then honor brave Hal with our country's high sway. 
And he'll make foe and k' ave all our lost rights repays 
With the soul of a pure Yankee Statesman, 



WHAT SOUND IS THAT, THAT O'ER THE 

HILLS. 

Tune, — O'er the Hills and far away. 

What sound is that, that o'er the hills 

Is borne upon the sweeping gale ? 
On ev'ry breeze the thunder swells, 

Erom mountain top and blooming vale. 
They are a nation's shouts that rise. 

And cry aloud with eager zest, 
While every rock and hill replies. 

And echoes Hariiy of the West. 

Then swell the shouts, and let it rise ' 

From every happy freeman's voice, 
Until its thunders reach the skies, 

And Freedom's mighty self rejoice. 
Around the brow of Harry Clay, 

Shall twine a never fading wreath, 
Achaplet of the brightest bay. 

That Fame can to her sons bequeath, j. d, w. 



HENRY CLAY. 

The great — the wise — the virtuous, all they say, 
In Time's dread progress, die, — and turn to Clay; 
A dying nation shall the comment ^ive. 
She turns to Clay — but turns to Claij to live! 



148 
ALL'S WELL. 

Hark ! from the broad and noble West — 
From where the Hero's ashes rest — ' 
The loud and stirring peal rings out — 
And comes on every breeze the shout 
For Harry Clay'! 
For Harry Clay ! 
For Harry Clay ! 
For gallant Harry Chy ! 
See them rush from the mountain's side — 
They come from plain and prairie wide! — 
From every forest, glade and glen, 
The shout goes up again, 
" Who goes there 1 Stranger, 
Stand ! Say the word." 
" Kentuck !" 
"Huirah!" 
"All's well! All's well!" 
The West, 

The El St, 

All— All's well! 

Froni wild New England's mountain's steep, 
On through her valleys green they sweep — 
And swelling high his glorionsjiame, 
His noble deeds aloft proclaim 

For Harry Clay ! 

For Harry Clay ! 

For Harry Clay ! 
For fearless Harry Clay ! 
From ocean's surge to mountain rills, 
Bright bum the wa'.ch firts on the hills ! 
Each arm is nerved, each sword gleams high. 



149 

To strike for victory ! 
" On! on ! Comrade 1 
To the front ! who leads ?" 
" Kentuck 1" 
"Hurrah!" 
All's well ! All's well !" 
The West, 
The East, 
All's well ! All's well ! 

And from the palm groves of the south, 
The lofty strains are ringing forth, 
Hark from her thousand plains they come, 
la tones that thrill like battle drum, 
For Hvirry Clay ! 
For Harry Clay 1 
For Harry Clay ! 
For faithful Harry Clay. 
And when they hear his honored name, 
It kindles Freedom's holiest flame, 
And Million hearts with joy beat high. 
Resolved to do or die. 
«' Ho ! what of the night? 
Quickly tell, who leads?" 
"Kentuck!" 
"Hurrah!" 
"All's well! All's well r 
The E?st, 
The South, 
All— All's well. 



150 

COME VOTE FOR THE PATRIOT CLAY. 

Tune — Bosinlhe Bow, 
Ye freemen throughout the whole nation. 

Attend to your duty, I pray, 
Come aid in your country's salvation, 
And vote for the patiiot Clay, &c. 

Though we've lost the bravo Tippecanoe, 

So long our best anchor and stay, 
Our eftbrts at length we'll renew, 

And vote for the patriot Clay, &c. 

We put into office John Tyler,- 

In hopes that he faithful would slay, 

But since he's joined harids with the spoiler. 
We'll vote for the patriot Clay, &c. 

The country is now in great trouble, 

And has been so many a day, 
And the mischief we fear will be double, 

Unless we're delivered by Clay, &c. 

The workmen are starving around us. 

Can you tell me the reason, I pray ? 
Such liRisery ne'er would have found vs, 

If we had for our President, Clay, &c. 

We used to have money a plenty ; 

Our debts we were able to pay, ' 

But our pockets so long have been empty. 

We think we'll make tiial of Clay. &.c. 

The folks long in power have spoken. 
And things will be better ihey say, 

Their promises all have been broken — 
So we'll wait no longer for Clay, &c. 



151 

The nation's a prey fo the spoiler, 
On all sides 'tis filled with dismay — 

So we'll quickly drop Captain Tyler, 
And stick to the patriot Clay, &c. 

Then gather ye friends of the nation, 
Attend to your duty, I pray. 

Come aid in your country's salvation, 
And vote for the patriot Clay, &c. 



OUR CANDIDATE. 

Tune — Hurrah I hurrah I 
For Henry Clay, our candidate. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
To place him in the Chair of State, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
" God's noblest work — an honest man,'' 
A nobler show us if you can ! 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, 

We spread our Banners to the sky. 

Hurra!), hurrah, hurrah ! 
Our motto — " Clay and Liberty I'' 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
At Vetoes we our " Veto' flinsr. 
A President we want — not King ! 

Hurrah, hurrah, &c. 

Of Demagogues we've had enough. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
From Tyler down to Johnny Brough, 

' Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! 
We're sick of all their brawling fuss, 
An honest man's the man for us! 
Hurrah, hurrah, &c. 



152 

An honest man's the man we want, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
We're tired of Locofoco cant. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
We nail our colors to the mast. 
And shout — Our Country, first and last ! 
•Hurrah, hurrah, &c. 

And when the vict'ry has been won — 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurralil 
(As 'twill be when the conflict's done,) 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah I 
The fruits will not be thrown away. 
No traitor yet was Henry Clay! 

Hurrah, hurrah, &c. 

Now, boy's, three cheers for Henry Clay, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
With him we're sure to win the day, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
Our President, if he's alive, 
He's bound to be in Forty-five 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, 

4urrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 



THE STAR OF ASHLAND. 

The gallant Whigs have drawn the sword. 

And thrown the idle sheath away ; 
And onward is the battle word. 

For Home Protection and for Clay. 
We now have set the ball in motion. 

That like the sun rolls night and day ; 
While from the prairie to the ocean, 

Awakes a shout for Henry Clay. 



153 

Farewell to sorrow, grief, and fear! 

Farewell to him who now has sway ^ 
The day oi change is drawing. neap, 

When he gives place to Henry Clay. 

We've drawn the sword, now rally all^ 
As hunters at the break of day. 

Leave cottage hearth, and ftstive hal'^ 
And take the field for Henry Clay. 

For he is now the nation's choice. 
The nation's hope, the nation's stay; 

Then shout with one united voice. 
For Home Protection and for Clay, 



GET ALONG HARRY, YOU'RE BOUND TO 

GO IN. 

Tune — Gee vp Dobbin. 
1 hrow doubts to the Locos — we're confident sure 
Th at Harry's the boy all our troubles to curt, 
I f Malty, Calhoun, or Buchanan begin 
To strive for the vict'ry, brave Hal will go in. 
Get along Harry, get along Harry, 
Get along Harry, you're bound to go in. 

In the days of old Hick'ry, we all of us thought 
That he the best was who'd oft'nest fought; 
Though battles from English and Indians he'd win, 
To fight with our stateraan he wouldn't begin. 

Get, &c. 

He managed the people, he governed the Banks; 
And played while in office all sorts of queer pranks 'y 
He killed the old monster, and then with a grin 
He got many little ones of the same kin, 
L Get, &c. 



134 

He promised hard money and easy to get,"" 
But it proved vice versa as few will forget^ 
The money was soft, ragged, flimsy and thin - 
The Banks got it out, but would not get it in. 

Get, Sec, 

Houses, lands, and &xpences all were up so high. 
That it took all our money provisions to buy. 
And as it was plenty its value was low, 
Eor easy to come is more easy to go. 

Get, See, 

To be sure the old Hero made Louis of France, 
Pay all that he ow'd us or he'd made him dance- 
He threaten'd Calhoun with a twist by the chin, 
For Nulhfication he thought a great sin. 

Get, &c. 

What'er he did right another might do j 
And for all honest motives our thanks are still due — 
But to close the last act of the old Hero's plan, 
He said his successor should be little Van, 

Get, &c. 
Little Van, while old Hick'ry stood at his back. 
Was elected our President quite in a crack ; 
But gad how he scampered when Tippecanoe 
Came at him again, with all the Whig crew. 

Get, ice. 

The people were happy with shouts of delight. 

At the dawn of the morning they chased the black 

night, 
And flouted the welkin with banners so gay. 
To the honors of Harrison, Tyler and Clay. 

Get, &c. 



1S5 

'But see through the glories of that happy day, 
The horison looks dim and the sunshine wears gray—- 
'Tis dark, and a cloud has spread over the whole— 
Now hush'd be the mirth, and now thoughtful eack 
soul. Get, &.C. 

By, the stillness of dread, by the gloom of thai hour. 
We felt that around us misfortune did lower; 
Too soon the sad truth we had cause to deplore. 
The people's best friend of the time was no more. 

Get, &c. 
Who then could their wishes — their feeling construe! 
Who battle for freeman's dear rights and be true ? 
Alas! \re lament thee for thy martyr and chief, 
Thy fate shall be monrned with a nation's deep grief. 

Get, &c. 

But not without hope — for to T^-ler we turn. 
While hislips with sweet promises throbbingly burn— 
Ah, shame on the traitor! he fads to pursue 
The course of our Chieftain, old Tippecanoe. 

Get, &c. 

Let him sink to the dirt — yet his name ne'er forgot. 
For no time from his mem'ry shall wipe the foul blot; 
Then steady our purpose, for traitor's ne'er stay — 
To the conflict again for the great Henry Clay. 

Get &c. 

From the valley's fair bosom, the mountain's rough 

side, 
from the wilderness dense, and the prairie so wide, 
We'll reuse in our might, and no longer delay— 
-We'll shout for our country, our laws and our Clay, 

Get, &c. 



156 

In vain shall opponents detract from his fame. 
And seek with their falseliood to tarnish his name. 
As bright as the diamond it dwelh in each brtast, 
Its saftty secured by its pure nature best. 

Get, &.C. 

By the force of cur voices — our own hallowed cause, 
By the love of our country, our kindred and laws. 
We're nerved for the battle — away with dismay — ■ 
Huzza for the strife, and success to Hal Clay. 

Get, (See. H. 3. 




15' 



ACROSTIC. 

Here's the Statesman always ready, 
Ever constant, ever true, 
Not ra.h, but ardent, firm, and steady, 
R solved to bear his country throuo^h. 
Yielding the meed to others due. 

Calmly he views the streams of faction, 
Looks through their workings, eagle eyed, 
A noble mark for base detraction. 
Yet turning all its darts aside. 



AN EPIGRAM. 
When first creation rose to light. 

Each object took its name j 
The designations all were right. 

From God himself they came. 

Then man the noblest work, stood forth, 

God's image to disclose ; 
Ada7n his name, which means the earths 

From whence his form arose. 

And still that image may be seen 

In one as pure as day ; 
And Nature, when she made him man, 

Impress'd the name of Clay. 



158' 



THE STATESMAN. 

Here's to great Harry the hope of the ag?; 

Wheie freedom now looks for support j 
She's sure of his love and knows him a sage,. 
By a lifetime spent at her court. 
For this child of her love. 
She sends down from above, 
A laurel to circle his brow. 
With a fire to impart, 
A rich warmth to his heart. 
That light up his brain with a glow. 

She led him in Youth to the allar of Fame 5 

And mark'd out the path to ascend, 
Call'd him her Son, while subscribing his name. 
And christen'd him Liberty's friend. 

Old dark Tyranny's frown, 
As she wrote his name down. 
Made the Temple seem in a cloud, 
But Liberty smil'd, 
The darkness uncoil'd, 
And Harry was cheer'd by the crowd! 

Old England soon felt the pledge of the boy, 

And a world look'd on to adn)ire, 
Dame Freedom partook a mother's proud joy, 
"While old Neptune* danced as his siie ! 
'Twas young Harry inspired, 
"What our honor required, 

* Old Neptune claimed him as his son, for his exertioES 
10 equip the Navy, by which our most brilliant achJey©- 
msnis were made. 



159 

And America asked from the world, 

The war was proclaim'd. 

And tyrants were tam'd, 
When her banner he proudly unfurl'd. 

Here's to that Harry who taught us our right, 

"When sagely opposed by the tame, 
The cause of our brillta'wt land and sea fights. 
Was Harry — so God bless his name. 

And now since he has flew. 

To the old world and new. 
When Liberty asked for his aid; 

Let Greece and Mexico say. 

And they'll shout Harry clay. 
The friend of that heavea-born maid. 

Now its Harry the illustrious sage. 

The guest of our heart's fondest love ; 
Whose life claims tribute from youth and old age 
They'll pay it, — or recreant prove I 

So pass round the can. 

And drink to a man, 
A health to the name we display. 

We defy the whole world, 

Now this name is unfurled. 
The patriot and sage, — Harry Clay» 



160 

ERECT HE STANDS. 

" Holding the principle that a citizen, so long as 
a single pulsation remains, is under an obligation to 
exert his utmost energies in the service of his country, 
whether in a private or public station, my friends 
may rest assured that in either condition I shall 
stand erect, with a spirit unconquered, while life 
endures, ready to second their exertions in the cause 
of union and liberty." — Henry Clay. 

Ay ! stand erect — the cloud is broken ; 
Above thee stands the rainbow's token ! 
The shadow of thy onwurd way 
Is bending into perfect day ; 
The slanders of the venal train 
Assail thy hontst name in vain ; 
For thou art still, as thou hast been. 
The hope of free and patriot men. 

Still boasts thy lip its fiery zeal. 
Thy heart iis joy in human weal ; 
Still free thy tongue to soothe or warm, 
Still keen its fiery shaft of scorn ; 
Still soars thy soul untamed and strong. 
The loftier for its sense of wrong ; 
Still first in Freedom's cause to stand, 
The champion of her favorite land. 

O ! what to thee were pomp and show. 
Aught that thy country can bestow 1 
Pier highest gifts could only take 
New honors for their wearer's sake ; 
They cculd not add a wreath to ihine, 
Nor brighter make thy glory shine : 
No — meaner ones may borrow fame j 
Thine lives through every change the same» 



161 

The Grecian, as he feeds his flocks 
la Tempe's vale, oa Morea's roclis, 
Or where the gleam of bright blue waters 
Is caught by Scio's white-arm'd daughters, 
While dwelling on the dubious strife, 
Which usher'd in his nation's life, 
Shall mingle in his grateful lay, 
BozzARis with the name of Clay. 

Where blush the warm skies of the south 
O'er Cotopaxi's fiery mouth, 
And round the fallen Inca's graves, 
The pampa rolls its breezy waves — 
The patriot in his council-hall. 
The soldier at his fortress-wall. 
The brave, the lovely, and the free 
Shall offer up their prayer for (hee. 

And where our own rude valleys smile. 
And teraple-spire and lofty pile 
Crown, like the fashion of a dream. 
The slope of every fountain-stream ; 
Where Industry and plenty meet. 
Twin-brothers, in the crowded street ; 
Each spire and mountain upward sent 
Shall be thy fitting monument. 

Still stand erect ! — our hope and trust. 
When laws is trampled in the dust ; 
When o'tr our fatfiers' yet green graves 
The war cry of disunion raves, 
And sons of those who, side by side, 
Smoledown the lion-basner's pride. 
Are girding for fraternal strife, 
or blow for blow' for life for life! 



162 

Let others rob the public store. 
To buy their ill-used power once more; 
Shrink back from truth, and open wide 
The floodgates of cerruption's tide; 
Thou standestin thy country's eye, 
UnshriHking from its scrutiny. 
And asking nothing but to show 
How far a patriot's zeal can go. 

And those whose trust is fix'd on thee— 

Unbought, unpledged, and truly fiee — 

They bow not to an idol now ; 

They scorn alike the bribe and frown ; 

And, asking no reward of gold' 

For barter'd faith, for honor sold, 

Seek faithful to their hearths and home, 

Not CiESAR's weal, but that of Rome! 



HE IS NOT FALLEN. 

Not Fallen ! No! as well the tall 
And pillowed Allegany fall- 
As well Ohio's giant tide 

Roll backward on its mighty track, 
As he, Columbia's hope and pride. 
The slandered and sorely tried. 

In his triumphant course turn back. 
He rs not Fallen ! Seek to bind 
The chainless and unbidden wind ! 
Oppose the torrent's headlong course. 
And turn aside the whirlwind's force;. 
But deem not that the mighty mind 
Will cower before the blast of hate, 



163' 

Or quail at dark and causeless ill } 
;?or though all else be desolate, 
It stoops nol from I is high estate ; 

A Marius 'mid the ruins still. 
He is Nor Fallen ! Every breeze 

That wanders o'er Columbia's bosom, 
From wild Penobscot's forest tees. 
From Ocean shore, from inland seas, 

Or where the rich Magnolia's blossoms 
Floats, snow-like, on the sultry wind. 

Is blooming onward on his ear, 
A homage to his lofty mind — 
A meed the falling never find, 

A praise which Patriots ojnly hear. 
Star of the West! A million eyes 

Are turning gladly unto him j 
The shrine of old idolatries 

Before his kifldling light grows dim ! 
And men awakes as Irom a dream. 
Or meteors dazzling to betray j 
And bow before his porer beam, 

Tlie earnest of a better day. 
Ali, Hail ! the hour is hastening on 

When, vainly tried by islander's flame, 
Columbia shall behold her son 

XInharmed, without a laurel gone. 
As from the flames of Babylon 

The angel-guarded trial came 
The Slanderer shall be silent then, 
His spell shall leave the minds of men. 
And higher glory wait upon 

The Western PAxpaoT's future fame,. 

J. o. w. 



164 
HENRY CLAY. 

BY ALFRED B. STREET. 

Hail to the Statesman great and wise, 

The patriot true and bold ! 
Where'er our trophied eagle flies. 

His. name with pride is told. 
From Maine's dark pines and crags of snow, 
To where magnolian breezes blow 

O'er rich Floridian flowers ; 
From hilly east to prairied west, 
We hail him as our mightiest — 

Rejoice in him as ours. 
Twice, when the tempest o'er us hung, 

And roar'd destruction's wave; 
Like light to darkness forth he spruno-, 

To guide us. and to save : 
In the fierce flashings of tne storm. 
We saw his proud undaunted form 

Upon tlie quivering deck. 
As, with his eye on Union's star. 
He savi' the danger from afar. 

And shunn'd the threatening wreck. 

His heart has beat in sympathy 

Where'er tnroughout the world. 
The yoked have fought for Liberty, 

With Freedom's flag unfurled. 
Say, Greece ! when nations saw you bleed, 
Who trumpet-toagued proclaim'd your need ? 

And climes of Andes say ! 
That templed land with answering shout, 
And these stern summits thunder out 

The name of Henry Clay. 



165 

A soul, whose patriotic love intense. 

And frankest feelings dwell ; 
A splendid, matchless eloquence, 

A courage naught can quell : 
No paltry limits bound his fame. 
An empire's scatter'd myriads claim — 

On mountains wide and lone, 
In the throng'd city's busy streets, 
In the green forests calm retreats, 

His glory is their own. 

What though detraction has essay'd 

To cloud his noble brow ; 
Down from the height himself has made 

He smiles upon it now. 

The oak, while growing, may be stirr'd 

By a light touch of breeze and bird, 
- Its bark each insect slime • 

Matured— tliough whirlwinds sweep the sly, 
It lifts, unbow'd, its head on high, 
In conscious strength sublime. 

Welcome his way ! — his steps beneath 

Let proud green wreaths be spread : 
O ! how our proudest, greenest wreath 

Would brighten on his head! 
Familiar as a household word, 
In after-ages wiil be heard — , 

(When our's has pass'd away) — 
A theme for song in happy hours, 
A Trumpet-blist when danger lowers. 

The name of JHenry Clay, 



166 
" THERE'S A STAR IN THE WEST." 

BY E. M. SPENCER. 

There's a star in the West, whose lucid flatne, 

Shines bright as ihe fair orb of day, 
And high is its name on the rolls of Fame, 

Unharmed or untouched by decay. 
And nations in pride have beheld its bright light. 

That bowed to no foul tyrant's sway 
W bile front in fight, espousing the right, 
Armed in the panoplied strength of his might, 

Stood the patriot Henry Clay. 

There's a star in the West, though men have tried, 

To veil its bright beams with a cloud, 
Their spleen to abide, their shafts to deride, 

And weave for false wishes a shroud. 
Aloft, as a statue, unscathed by crime. 

To partizan changes ne'er bowed. 
He stands divine, like the pillar sublime 
That led from oppression in olden Time, — 

A messenger gifted from God. 

There's a star in the West, quail, tyrant, quail. 

Invectives will not stop the ball, 
You hear the loud wail, proclaiming the tale, 

With a meaning as bitter as gall, 
In every slight sound that was brought to our ears, 

An effort you made to enthrall, 
But the widows' tears, and the freemen's sneers, 
Mixed with yotir own base and cowardly fears, 

Warns us that }ou totter and fall. 



167 



There's a star in the West! hail ! freemen, hail! 

Till ev'ry forest, glen i\nd plain, 
From the flowery vale, on the grateful gale, 

Shall re-echo that shout again. 
Till men have aroused to their conntry's woe. 

To conquer the false and the vain. 

With strength to o'erihrow, Columbia's pro ud foe. 

And weave for our hero, a radiant halo. 
Awakening young Liberty's sirain. 

There's a star in the West, heard you that cry. 

That burst from the patriot's breast? 
Aloft it shall fly, 'till it reach the broad sky, 

To welcome our country's tried guest, 
Then tremble ye minions, who basely clin^-. 

To one, a foul traitor confessed, 
False hope take to wing, forsake the foul thing, 
And loud let the anthens of Liberty sing, 

la praise of the star of the West. 



THE ENDj 



That patriotism which, catching- its ins^jiration 
from the immortal God,_and leaving, at an im- 
meaEurable distance below all lesser, grovelling, per- 
sonal interests and feelings, animates and prompts 
to deeds of self-sacrifice, of valor, of devotion 'and 
of death itself — that is public virtue, that is the 
noblest,^^the sublimcst of all public virtue?. 

HENRY CLAY. 



H 122 8 




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